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Will it freeze in Santa Maria in the next 7 nights?
No overnight lows at or below 32°F are forecast in Santa Maria during the next 7 nights in the available NWS frost forecast.
Tonight: forecast low 54°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.
- Tonight 54°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Fri, Nov 6 53°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Sat, Nov 7 53°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Sun, Nov 8 54°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 55°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Tue, Nov 10 55°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 55°F Above 36°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
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 Santa Maria
Most years have no 28°F hard freeze at Santa Maria Public Airport, according to NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Check the short-term forecast above during cold snaps.
| Temperature | Last 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 | Feb 12 · Mar 22 · Apr 17 | Nov 3 · Nov 25 · Dec 14 | 247 days |
| 32°F freeze | Dec 29 · Feb 4 · Mar 16 | Nov 21 · Dec 13 · Jan 10 | 315 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Dec 14 · Jan 5 · Feb 8 | Dec 5 · Dec 27 · Jan 27 | 365 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Santa Maria Public Airport
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 Santa Maria, CA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Santa Maria Public Airport (station USW00023273, elevation 242 ft), 2.4 mi from Santa Maria. 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 Santa Maria
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe, CA | 7.5 mi | Feb 4 | Dec 13 |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 16 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 4 |
| Grover Beach, CA | 16 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 4 |
| Lompoc, CA | 19 mi | Jan 20 | Dec 19 |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 20 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 4 |
| Buellton, CA | 26 mi | Apr 11 | Nov 8 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 26 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 11 |
| Solvang, CA | 29 mi | Apr 11 | Nov 8 |
| Morro Bay, CA | 39 mi | rare | rare |
| Atascadero, CA | 40 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 10 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Maria?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Santa Maria is around February 4. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after March 16, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after December 29.
When is the first frost in Santa Maria?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around December 13. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by November 21 and a 90% chance by January 10.
Can it frost in Santa Maria 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 March 22.
What growing zone is Santa Maria?
Santa Maria is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 93458. See growing zones in California.
More: all California frost dates · California growing zones · UV index today in Santa Maria · frost vs. freeze