When is the last frost in Altoona, PA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Altoona is around April 25, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Altoona 3 W, PA station (6.3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Altoona?

The average first fall frost in Altoona, PA is around October 21, giving roughly a 176-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Altoona, PA?

Altoona is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -5 to 0°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Altoona?

In Altoona, PA the warmest month is July (avg high 81.4°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 18.8°F). It averages about 44.7″ of precipitation a year and 38.1″ of snow.

Home › Pennsylvania › Altoona

Altoona, PA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 16601 · elevation 402′ · NOAA & USDA data

Altoona is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 176 days between the average last spring frost (April 25) and first fall frost (October 21). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 18.8°F). It averages 44.7″ of precipitation a year and 38.1″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -5 to 0°F

Last spring frost

April 25

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

176 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Altoona

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Altoona 3 W, PA (6.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	33.8	18.8	26.3	2.9	10.1
February	37.1	20.4	28.7	2.7	11
March	46	27.8	36.9	3.5	7.6
April	59.6	38.5	49	3.8	0.6
May	69.5	48.6	59	4.4	0
June	77.3	57	67.2	4.2	0
July	81.4	61.3	71.4	4.2	0
August	79.8	60	69.9	3.9	0
September	72.6	53.2	62.9	4.3	0
October	61.3	42	51.6	3.8	0
November	48.8	32.6	40.7	3.6	1.2
December	38.1	24.3	31.2	3.4	7.6

What to plant when in Altoona

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 14 · Transplant out: May 2
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 28 · Transplant out: May 9
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 2
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 26
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): August 26
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 26
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 12
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 11
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 12
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 11
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): September 9

Dates are computed from Altoona's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Pennsylvania

State College, PA Harrisburg, PA Pittsburgh, PA York, PA Lancaster, PA Reading, PA Erie, PA Scranton, PA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Altoona 3 W, PA, 6.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Altoona 3 W, PA, 6.3 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.