When is the last frost in Pittsburgh, PA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Pittsburgh is April 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 12.

When is the first frost in Pittsburgh?

The average first fall frost in Pittsburgh is October 23, with a growing season of about 181 days.

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 23. Average first fall frost: October 23. That gives a growing season of about 181 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 12, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 23

1-in-10 risk after May 12

First frost (50%)

Oct 23

1-in-10 risk before Oct 9

Growing season

181 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 12

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 9	November 6
70%	April 18	October 29
50%	April 23	October 23
30%	May 1	October 18
10%	May 12	October 9

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 12. These are NOAA probabilities for the Pittsburgh International Airport weather station (USW00094823, elevation 367 m), 1991–2020.

Pittsburgh vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 23). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 12) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Apr 2	Apr 30 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 12	Mar 26
Brussels sprouts	Feb 12	Mar 26
Cabbage	Feb 5	Mar 19
Cauliflower	Feb 26	Apr 9
Sweet corn	Mar 26	Apr 23 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 9	Apr 30
Kale	Feb 5	Mar 19
Leeks	Jan 8	Mar 19
Lettuce	Mar 5	Apr 9
Melons	Apr 16	May 7
Onions	Jan 1	Mar 12 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 26	Mar 26 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 12	May 7
Squash	Apr 16	May 7
Tomatoes	Feb 26	Apr 23

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 23. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 9. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 4.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Akron, OH	Apr 24	Oct 28	~122 km
Cleveland, OH	Apr 20	Nov 3	~173 km
Columbus, OH	Apr 18	Oct 27	~232 km
Charleston, WV	Apr 16	Oct 26	~261 km
Harrisburg, PA	Apr 9	Nov 2	~293 km
Buffalo, NY	Apr 24	Oct 26	~301 km

More: all Pennsylvania frost dates