California climate almanac
California's climate, read through its 70 NOAA stations, is mainly marine / mediterranean (pacific coast, coastal california), then desert southwest (arizona, nevada, inland california), then mild humid continental (northeast, midwest, pacific northwest). The mean frost-free season runs from about February 27 to November 24, roughly 261 days.
Stations70NOAA 1991-2020 normals
Mean frost-free season261 days97 to 365 across the state
Typical frost windowFebruary 27 - November 24Median last and first frost
Main climate types3Marine / Mediterranean (Pacific coast, coastal California) (40); Desert Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, inland California) (24); Mild humid continental (Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest) (6)
What this means for your home
In California, the difference between the shortest and longest frost-free pockets is 268 days. That is the difference between a tomato crop that struggles and one that runs into October, between one fertilizer timing and another. Set your place above to tune every date to your nearest station.
Major cities in California
Pick a city to see its frost and planting dates, or set your own place above.