Frost Dates for Cathedral City, CA
In Cathedral City, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 9 and the average first fall frost around Jan 9, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Jan 29, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Palm Springs Rgnl Airport, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 421 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Jan 29 | Dec 23 |
| 20% | Jan 21 | Dec 30 |
| 30% | Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| 40% | Jan 12 | Jan 5 |
| 50% | Jan 9 | Jan 9 |
| 60% | Jan 5 | Jan 12 |
| 70% | Jan 2 | Jan 15 |
| 80% | Dec 30 | Jan 21 |
| 90% | Dec 29 | Jan 29 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Jan 8 | Dec 29 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 9 | Jan 9 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Cathedral City
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Nov 14 – Dec 12
Fall sowing Nov 14 – Dec 5
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 14
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 28
Transplant Dec 26 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Transplant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Fall sowing Nov 28 – Dec 19
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 14
Plant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Based on the average last frost (Jan 9) and first frost (Jan 9). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.