Frost dates 2026–2027

Frost dates for Lake Forest, California

Most years have no 32°F freeze at Tustin Irvine Ranch, 5.6 mi away (close match), according to NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

Freezes are rare here
Last spring frostRarefewer than half of years
First fall frostRarefewer than half of years
Growing season365 daysbetween median 32°F dates
Hardiness zoneZone 10b35 to 40°F average extreme low

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Will it freeze in Lake Forest in the next 7 nights?

No overnight lows at or below 32°F are forecast in Lake Forest during the next 7 nights in the available NWS frost forecast.

Tonight: forecast low 60°F. Above 36°F.

NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM PST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM PST.

No nights at or below 36°F in the National Weather Service forecast for the next 7 nights.

Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.

Frost and freeze probabilities

Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.

These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.

Average first hard freeze in Lake Forest

Most years have no 28°F hard freeze at Tustin Irvine Ranch, according to NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Check the short-term forecast above during cold snaps.

TemperatureLast spring date
90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze
First fall date
10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze
Season
36°F frost possible Jan 3 · Feb 1 · Mar 5 Nov 24 · Dec 13 · Jan 8 311 days
32°F freeze Dec 14 · Jan 5 · Feb 2 Dec 3 · Dec 25 · Jan 20 365 days
28°F hard freeze rare in most years rare in most years 365 days
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00049087. The median 32°F growing season here is the whole year: most years have no freeze. How to read these probabilities.

Average high temperature by month

1991–2020 normals at Tustin Irvine Ranch

Average low temperature by month

Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk

Where these frost dates come from

The frost dates for Lake Forest, CA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Tustin Irvine Ranch (station USC00049087, elevation 235 ft), 5.6 mi from Lake Forest. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.

Frost dates near Lake Forest

CityDistanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
Mission Viejo, CA 3.1 mi rare rare
Laguna Woods, CA 4.3 mi rare rare
Laguna Hills, CA 4.3 mi rare rare
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 5.0 mi rare rare
Irvine, CA 5.6 mi rare rare
Aliso Viejo, CA 6.2 mi rare rare
Laguna Niguel, CA 8.7 mi rare rare
Laguna Beach, CA 9.3 mi rare rare
Tustin, CA 9.3 mi rare rare
San Juan Capistrano, CA 11 mi rare rare

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lake Forest?

Lake Forest doesn’t reach 32°F in a typical year, according to NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the nearest station.

When is the first frost in Lake Forest?

Freezes are uncommon here; check the 7-night forecast above during cold snaps.

Can it frost in Lake Forest after the last frost date?

Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after February 1.

What growing zone is Lake Forest?

Lake Forest is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 35 to 40°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 92630. See growing zones in California.

More: all California frost dates · California growing zones · UV index today in Lake Forest · frost vs. freeze