Raleigh, North Carolina Frost Dates, Growing Season & Hardiness Zone
Frost odds and planting zone for Raleigh for the 2027 season, based on 1991–2020 normals.
Last frost date
Mar 28
typical (50% chance of a later 32°F night)
Safer date: Apr 12 (10% risk)
earlyMar 28
typicalApr 12
safer
First fall frost
Nov 8
typical (50% chance it has happened by then)
Early-risk date: Oct 28 (10%)
Growing season
229 days
typical frost-free (32°F) season
Short year: 208 days (1 year in 10 is shorter)
USDA hardiness zone
8a
2023 map: 10 to 15°F average coldest night
2012 map: 7b (most of the city)
Across the metro, the typical last frost runs from Mar 27 (Apex) to Apr 7 (Clayton WTP), depending on where you live.
Typical last freeze (32°F): Mar 28. In 1 year out of 10, the last one comes after Apr 12.
Based on NOAA station Raleigh State University (USC00317079), 4.3 mi SW, elevation 400 ft (+90 ft vs. city center). Confidence: High.
When is the last frost in Raleigh?
Expect the last 32°F night by Mar 28 in a typical year; 1 year in 10 still freezes after Apr 12. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically last longer, until around Apr 7. Hard freezes (28°F) typically end sooner, around Mar 14.
Frost risk in Raleigh drags on well past the typical date. The safer 1-in-10 date (Apr 12) is 15 days later than the typical Mar 28, so protect tender plants set out early on cold nights.
Cold nights don't end with the last freeze. The typical last 36°F night (frost possible on plants in low spots) comes around Apr 7, 10 days after the typical last 32°F night. On clear, calm nights, frost can form on leaves while the thermometer still reads above freezing.
| Threshold | 10% (safer) | 30% | 50% (typical) | 90% (early) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Apr 21 | Apr 13 | Apr 7 | Mar 25 |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 12 | Apr 3 | Mar 28 | Mar 8 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 31 | Mar 20 | Mar 14 | Feb 22 |
All probabilities (10–90%)
| Threshold | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Apr 21 | Apr 16 | Apr 13 | Apr 10 | Apr 7 | Apr 5 | Apr 2 | Mar 30 | Mar 25 |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 12 | Apr 7 | Apr 3 | Apr 1 | Mar 28 | Mar 24 | Mar 20 | Mar 16 | Mar 8 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 31 | Mar 25 | Mar 20 | Mar 17 | Mar 14 | Mar 9 | Mar 5 | Feb 28 | Feb 22 |
Is it too early to plant in Raleigh?
Before Mar 28 the odds of another 32°F night are better than even; after Apr 12 they are about 1 in 10 or less.
Today's risk is computed in your browser from the same NOAA probability table, shown as the range between the two nearest NOAA probability levels.
When is the first frost in Raleigh?
By Nov 8, half of years have had their first 32°F night. In 1 year out of 10, it comes as early as Oct 28. In a typical year, look for the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) around Oct 31 and the first 28°F hard freeze around Nov 23.
For fall crops, count back from Nov 8, or from Oct 28 to be safe. Our planting calendar does the math for each crop.
| Threshold | 10% (early) | 30% | 50% (typical) | 90% (late) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Oct 18 | Oct 26 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F freeze | Oct 28 | Nov 4 | Nov 8 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Nov 6 | Nov 15 | Nov 23 | Dec 15 |
All probabilities (10–90%)
| Threshold | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Oct 18 | Oct 23 | Oct 26 | Oct 29 | Oct 31 | Nov 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F freeze | Oct 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 4 | Nov 6 | Nov 8 | Nov 12 | Nov 16 | Nov 20 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Nov 6 | Nov 11 | Nov 15 | Nov 19 | Nov 23 | Nov 27 | Dec 1 | Dec 6 | Dec 15 |
How long is Raleigh's growing season?
In a typical year, Raleigh gets 229 days between the last and first 32°F nights. About 1 year in 10, the season is shorter than 208 days.
A season this long fits most warm-season vegetables planted on time. Long-season crops do best when started from transplants.
The station averages 4,990 growing degree days (base 50°F) a year. That number measures how much heat crops have to grow on.
| Threshold | 10% (long year) | 50% (typical) | 90% (short year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | 227 days | 207 days | 187 days |
| 32°F freeze | 255 days | 229 days | 208 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | 284 days | 254 days | 230 days |
How does Raleigh's season compare?
Nationwide, across the 56 cities with frost dates on this site, the typical frost-free season here outlasts the one in 34 of them and falls short of the one in 21.
Growing degree days (base 50°F)
Annual normal: 4,990 GDD (NOAA flag S, 25 years). Running total by the end of each month (sum of NOAA daily GDD normals, so the year-end total can differ slightly from the annual normal):
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 73 | 210 | 539 | 1,130 | 1,930 | 2,873 | 3,764 | 4,443 | 4,813 | 4,939 | 4,989 |
What growing zone is Raleigh? (USDA 2023)
The 2023 USDA map puts Raleigh in zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night). On the 2012 map, most of the city was 7b. Comparing ZIPs listed in both tables, 17 of 17 moved up half a zone.
| ZIP | 2023 | 2012 | Change | Share of ZIP in Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27601 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 27603 | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 14% |
| 27604 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 62% |
| 27605 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 27606 | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 40% |
| 27607 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 81% |
| 27608 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 27609 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 99% |
| 27610 | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 49% |
| 27612 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 91% |
| 27613 | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 27% |
| 27614 | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 25% |
| 27615 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 64% |
| 27616 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 60% |
| 27617 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 93% |
| 27695 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 27697 mostly in city | 8a | 7b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
Other ZIPs touching Raleigh and PO-box ZIPs
ZIPs outside the 276 prefix that overlap the city boundary:
- 27511: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (0.9% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27518: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (0.4% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27529: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (1.4% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27545: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (2.5% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27560: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (1.9% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27587: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (0.4% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
- 27703: 2023 8a, 2012 7b (0.4% of the ZIP is in Raleigh)
PO-box and single-address 276xx ZIPs have no Census area, so we cannot tell which city they serve: 27602 (8a/7b), 27611 (8a/7b), 27619 (8a/7b), 27620 (8a/7b), 27621 (n/a/7b), 27622 (8a/7b), 27623 (8a/7b), 27624 (8a/7b), 27625 (8a/7b), 27626 (8a/7b), 27627 (8a/7b), 27628 (8a/7b), 27629 (8a/7b), 27634 (8a/7b), 27635 (8a/7b), 27636 (8a/7b), 27640 (8a/7b), 27650 (8a/7b), 27656 (8a/7b), 27658 (8a/7b), 27661 (8a/7b), 27668 (8a/7b), 27675 (8a/7b), 27676 (8a/7b), 27690 (8a/7b), 27698 (8a/7b), 27699 (8a/7b) (2023/2012).
Zones: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed 2026-10-08. Shown as published in the ZIP tables; this page does not show a zone map. Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).
Does the new zone change Raleigh's frost dates?
No. Zones describe only how cold the coldest winter night gets on average. They don't tell you when frost starts or stops. The frost dates for Raleigh come from NOAA's 1991–2020 frost probabilities, which the 2023 zone map left untouched. Choose winter-hardy perennials by zone, and schedule planting by frost dates.
Why do Raleigh frost dates differ between websites?
If you've seen Apr 3 listed as Raleigh's last frost date, that's the 30%-risk date: about 3 years in 10 still get a 32°F night after it. We lead with Mar 28, the 50% (median) date.
The 'safer' date, Apr 12, is the 10%-risk date. A 32°F night after it happens in only about 1 year in 10.
Apr 7 is the 50% date for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants), not a 32°F freeze. Sites that treat 36°F as the danger line show later dates.
Station choice is another reason dates differ. Our 11 qualifying stations within 25 miles of the city center range from Mar 27 to Apr 7 for the typical (50%) last 32°F frost (table below).
| Date | What it is (NOAA 1991–2020) |
|---|---|
| Apr 3 | 32°F last frost, 30% risk (a 'balanced' date) |
| Apr 7 | 36°F last cold night, 50% (frost possible on plants) |
| Apr 12 | 32°F last frost, 10% risk (the 'safer' date) |
| Mar 14 | 28°F last hard freeze, 50% |
| Mar 31 | 32°F last frost, 50%, at Raleigh Durham International Airport (nearest station with NOAA flag S) |
| Station | Distance | Elevation | Typical last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | 12.6 mi WSW | 450 ft | Mar 27 |
| Raleigh State University used here | 4.3 mi SW | 400 ft | Mar 28 |
| Raleigh 4 SW | 7.5 mi SSW | 420 ft | Mar 28 |
| Chapel Hill Williams Airport | 24.7 mi WNW | 512 ft | Mar 29 |
| Raleigh Durham International Airport | 8.9 mi WNW | 416 ft | Mar 31 |
| Cary | 11.3 mi SW | 390 ft | Mar 31 |
| Garner | 11.2 mi S | 330 ft | Apr 1 |
| Durham | 23.1 mi NW | 400 ft | Apr 2 |
| Falls Lake | 10.3 mi N | 280 ft | Apr 4 |
| New Hill | 18.6 mi SW | 320 ft | Apr 6 |
| Clayton WTP | 16.5 mi SE | 300 ft | Apr 7 |
Which weather station is this based on?
- Station
- Raleigh State University (NOAA USC00317079, COOP)
- Distance
- 4.3 mi SW of the city center
- Elevation
- 400 ft; city center 310 ft (USGS), difference +90 ft
- Record
- NOAA completeness flag S, 27 of 30 years (1991–2020)
- Confidence
- High (rule)
Confidence: High. At 4.3 miles from the city center and only 90 ft off in elevation, with frost statistics that meet our completeness rule (NOAA flag S, 27 of 30 years), this station is a close match.
| Station | ID | Distance | Elev. (Δ) | Last frost 50% | First frost 50% | Season 50% | NOAA flag / years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh State University | USC00317079 | 4.3 mi SW | 400 ft (+90) | Mar 28 | Nov 8 | 229 d | S / 27 |
| Raleigh 4 SW | USC00317074 | 7.5 mi SSW | 420 ft (+110) | Mar 28 | Nov 9 | 227 d | R / 17 |
| Raleigh Durham International Airport | USW00013722 | 8.9 mi WNW | 416 ft (+106) | Mar 31 | Nov 4 | 219 d | S / 29 |
| Falls Lake | USC00312993 | 10.3 mi N | 280 ft (-30) | Apr 4 | Nov 4 | 213 d | R / 18 |
| Garner | USC00313238 | 11.2 mi S | 330 ft (+20) | Apr 1 | Nov 1 | 213 d | R / 10 |
| Cary | USC00311535 | 11.3 mi SW | 390 ft (+80) | Mar 31 | Nov 10 | 226 d | R / 20 |
| Apex | USC00310212 | 12.6 mi WSW | 450 ft (+140) | Mar 27 | Nov 8 | 227 d | R / 25 |
| Clayton WTP | USC00311820 | 16.5 mi SE | 300 ft (-10) | Apr 7 | Nov 3 | 211 d | S / 24 |
| New Hill | USC00316122 | 18.6 mi SW | 320 ft (+10) | Apr 6 | Nov 3 | 209 d | R / 12 |
| Durham | USC00312515 | 23.1 mi NW | 400 ft (+90) | Apr 2 | Nov 4 | 217 d | R / 16 |
| Chapel Hill Williams Airport | USW00093785 | 24.7 mi WNW | 512 ft (+202) | Mar 29 | Nov 5 | 222 d | R / 17 |
Other stations within 25 mi (not used)
- Clayton 3 E (USC00311817), 19.2 mi SE, 332 ft: typical last frost Mar 28. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%).
- Chatham WTP (USC00311700), 21.4 mi WSW, 308 ft: typical last frost Apr 1. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%).
29 other NOAA normals stations within 40 km (mostly rain gauges) have no frost statistics.
Raleigh planting dates at a glance
Balanced dates use the 30%-risk last-frost date as the anchor. The Raleigh planting calendar has typical and safe dates, fall planting and a month-by-month list for 26 vegetables.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outdoors (balanced) | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 9–23 | Apr 27 | – |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 | – |
| Potatoes | – | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | – |
| Onions (dry, from sets) | – | Mar 6–20 | – |
| Peas | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Aug 21 |
| Lettuce (leaf) | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Aug 26 |
| Carrots | – | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | sow by Aug 16 |
| Beans (snap) | – | Apr 3 | sow by Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | – | Apr 3 | sow by Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16–30 | Mar 6–20 | transplant by Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16–30 | Mar 6–20 | transplant by Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | – |
| Kohlrabi | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Sep 5 |
| Green onions | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Aug 26 |
| Radishes | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Sep 25 |
| Spinach | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Sep 15 |
| Turnips | – | Mar 6–20 | sow by Sep 5 |
| Beets | – | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | sow by Aug 26 |
| Swiss chard | – | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | sow by Aug 26 |
| Parsnips | – | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 3 | – |
| Cucumbers | – | Apr 3 | sow by Aug 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 | – |
| Cantaloupe | – | Apr 17 | – |
| Watermelon | – | Apr 17 | – |
| Winter squash | – | Apr 17 | – |
When to plant tomatoes in Raleigh · Fall planting dates for Raleigh
Frost dates near Raleigh
| City | Distance | Last frost | First frost | Season | Zone 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte frost dates | 130 mi | Mar 30 | Nov 3 | 221 days | 8a |
| Washington, DC frost dates | 230 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 8 | 224 days | 7b–8a |
| Baltimore, MD frost dates | 264 mi | Mar 24 | Nov 21 | 244 days | 7b–8a |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average last frost date in Raleigh?
Mar 28 is the median (50%) date for Raleigh's last 32°F night, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at Raleigh State University. To play it safe, use Apr 12: only about 1 year in 10 has a freeze after it.
When is the first frost in Raleigh?
Expect the first 32°F night by Nov 8 in a typical year, and as early as Oct 28 in about 1 year out of 10. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Oct 31.
What growing zone is Raleigh, North Carolina? Is Raleigh zone 7 or 8?
Zone 8a (zone 8 for short) is Raleigh's USDA hardiness zone on the 2023 map. Most of the city was 7b on the older 2012 map, so you'll still find 'zone 7' in older references.
Is it too early to plant in Raleigh?
If it's before Mar 28, it's too early for frost-tender plants: another 32°F night is more likely than not. From Mar 28 to Apr 12, the risk falls from 50% to 10%. Cool-season crops such as peas and lettuce can be planted weeks earlier (see the planting calendar).
What temperature is a killing frost?
A light frost is enough to kill tender crops such as tomatoes. CSU Extension describes 28–32°F as a light frost and anything below 28°F as a heavy frost. We report NOAA odds at three thresholds: 36°F (frost possible on plants), 32°F (freeze, our headline) and 28°F (hard freeze).
Is first frost the same as first freeze?
Not exactly. A freeze is about the air reaching 32°F. Frost is ice on surfaces, which can form on calm, clear nights while the air is still a few degrees above freezing. So in Raleigh, the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Oct 31, ahead of the first 32°F night (Nov 8).
Download & sources
- Add Raleigh frost & planting dates to your calendar (.ics, 2027)
- Printable planting calendar (PDF)
- How these numbers are calculated
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal and daily normals, station USC00317079); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone ZIP tables 2023 and 2012 by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; Census 2020 ZIP/place relationship file; USGS elevation. Long-term odds, not a forecast. Figures and sentences are generated from these data by fixed rules; see the methodology. Last updated 2026-10-08.