Frost dates 2026–2027

Frost dates for Poway, California

Most years have no 32°F freeze at Rancho Bernardo, 4.2 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 10a30 to 35°F average extreme low

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Will it freeze in Poway in the next 7 nights?

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

Overnight: forecast low 55°F. Above 36°F.

NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 5:00 AM PST to Thu, Nov 5, 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 Poway

Most years have no 28°F hard freeze at Rancho Bernardo, 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 Dec 17 · Jan 23 · Feb 28 Dec 1 · Dec 23 · Jan 31 338 days
32°F freeze Dec 13 · Jan 5 · Feb 1 Dec 13 · Jan 2 · Jan 31 365 days
28°F hard freeze rare in most years rare in most years 365 days
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047248. 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 Rancho Bernardo

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 Poway, CA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Rancho Bernardo (station USC00047248, elevation 690 ft), 4.2 mi from Poway. 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 Poway

CityDistanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
Santee, CA 9.3 mi Jan 6 Dec 21
Escondido, CA 11 mi rare rare
San Diego, CA 12 mi Jan 6 Dec 21
San Marcos, CA 13 mi rare rare
El Cajon, CA 13 mi Jan 6 Dec 21
Solana Beach, CA 14 mi rare rare
Encinitas, CA 15 mi rare rare
La Mesa, CA 15 mi Jan 6 Dec 21
Lemon Grove, CA 17 mi Jan 6 Dec 21
Carlsbad, CA 18 mi Jan 23 Dec 11

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Poway?

Poway 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 Poway?

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

Can it frost in Poway 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 January 23.

What growing zone is Poway?

Poway is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 30 to 35°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 92064. See growing zones in California.

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