When the Last Freeze of the Season Typically Occurs

The map below illustrates when the last freeze of the season typically occurs, based on 1981-2010 averages. Keep in mind, the last freeze can vary greatly from year to year, depending on the weather pattern in place over the country during the spring months.

Much of the South usually sees its last freeze of the season before the end of March, while parts of the Mountain West may not see the last 32-degree temperature until late May or even June.

Below, we'll dig deeper into when specific regions and cities can expect the season's final freeze, on average.

Before March 10

Cities along the Gulf Coast and in the Deep South see their last freeze, on average, before March 10. However, this can occur much earlier or much later, depending on the weather conditions each year.

Since 1950, Miami has only recorded five winter seasons with a freeze: 1976-77, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1984-85 and 1989-90.

The map above also shows an area in the Desert Southwest and Southern California that, on average, sees its last freeze before March 10. This includes Los Angeles and San Diego, but these cities don't typically see freezing temperatures.

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Since 1950, San Diego has only dropped to 32 degrees or colder one time (Jan. 13, 1963) at Lindbergh Field. Los Angeles dropped to the freezing mark or colder the same date as San Diego and also on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, 1968, at Los Angeles International Airport.

March 10-30

A large swath of the South, along with parts of the Interstate 95 corridor, Desert Southwest and West Coast, typically experience their last freeze between March 10 and March 30.

March 30 - April 10

It is interesting to note Boston's latest last freeze is earlier than Raleigh-Durham's by a week and a half, likely due to Boston's proximity to the relatively warmer Atlantic Ocean.

(MORE: Urban Heat Islands: Why Cities are Warmer than Rural Areas)

April 10-30

Many cities from the Plains and Midwest to the East Coast see their average last freeze between April 10 and April 30, in an average year.

If you live in any of these cities, despite your average final freeze in mid- to late April, it may be best to wait until closer to Memorial Day to plant your garden. In Chicago, the last freeze occurred as late as May 29 in 1965, essentially around the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

(MORE: 10-Day Forecast High/Low Temperatures)

April 30 - May 20

These later freeze dates are basically confined to the nation's northern tier and Mountain West, which is to be expected.

Despite these cities seeing their last freeze in early to mid-May in an average year, sometimes it doesn't occur until around or after the summer solstice (June 21 this year), such as in Fargo, Concord and Reno.

(MORE: Why Seasons Aren't the Same to Meteorologists as the Rest of Us)

After May 20

Any freezes after May 20 are generally in areas near the Canadian border or in the highest elevations of the Rocky Mountains.