When is the last frost in Erie, PA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Erie is around April 26, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Erie Intl Ap, PA station (5.6 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 Erie?

The average first fall frost in Erie, PA is around November 4, giving roughly a 192-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Erie, PA?

Erie is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Erie?

In Erie, PA the warmest month is July (avg high 81.1°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 21.3°F). It averages about 43″ of precipitation a year and 104.3″ of snow.

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Erie, PA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 16501 · elevation 223′ · NOAA & USDA data

Erie is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 192 days between the average last spring frost (April 26) and first fall frost (November 4). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 21.3°F). It averages 43″ of precipitation a year and 104.3″ 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 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

192 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Erie

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Erie Intl Ap, PA (5.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	35.2	21.3	28.2	3.4	31.8
February	36.5	21.4	28.9	2.5	19.4
March	44.3	27.9	36.1	3.1	14.5
April	56.8	38	47.4	3.5	2.6
May	68.3	49.3	58.8	3.5	0
June	77.1	59.4	68.2	3.7	0
July	81.1	64.2	72.7	3.3	0
August	79.9	63.2	71.5	3.4	0
September	73.7	56.7	65.2	4.3	0
October	62.3	46.3	54.3	4.4	0.1
November	50.5	36.7	43.6	3.8	9.6
December	40.2	28	34.1	4.2	26.3

What to plant when in Erie

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 15 · Transplant out: May 3
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 1 · Transplant out: May 10
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 3
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 22 · Sow (fall): September 9
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 15 · Sow (fall): September 9
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): September 9
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 26
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 12
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 26
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 29
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 12
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): September 23

Dates are computed from Erie'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

Pittsburgh, PA Altoona, PA State College, PA Harrisburg, PA York, PA Scranton, PA Lancaster, PA Reading, 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 — Erie Intl Ap, PA, 5.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Erie Intl Ap, PA, 5.6 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.