Below is a chart showing frost dates in the spring and fall for various Canadian cities. (Also, see our frost dates for U.S. cities.)
PLEASE NOTE: The reference source for Canadian frost dates is Environment Canada's National Climate Services. Unfortunately, they have not updated the information in many years. The last time their data set was calculated was for the 1951–1980 Normals. Here at the Almanac, we will certainly update the data as soon as it is made available.
Canadia Frost Dates
If your city is not listed, click here.
Dates below reflects normal averages for a light freeze (29° to 32°F, or -2° to 0°C); local weather and topography may cause considerable variations. The possibility of frost occurring after the spring dates and before the fall dates is 50 percent. The classification of freezing temperatures is usually based on their effect on plants. A light freeze kills only tender plants, with little destructive effect on other vegetation.
| City | Province |
Growing Season (Length in Days) |
Last Frost Spring |
First Frost Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athabasca | AB | 88 | Jun. 1 | Aug. 29 |
| Calgary | AB | 114 | May 23 | Sept. 15 |
| Edmonton | AB | 138 | May 7 | Sept. 23 |
| Elk Point | AB | 92 | June 1 | Sept. 1 |
| Grande Prairie | AB | 117 | May 18 | Sept. 13 |
| Lethbridge | AB | 123 | May 17 | Sept. 18 |
| Medicine Hat | AB | 128 | May 16 | Sept. 22 |
| Peace River | AB | 99 | May 26 | Sept. 3 |
| Red Deer | AB | 106 | May 25 | Sept. 9 |
| Vegreville | AB | 85 | June 5 | Aug. 29 |
| Vermilion | AB | 107 | May 25 | Sept. 9 |
| Abbotsford | BC | 177 | Apr. 24 | Oct. 18 |
| Chilliwack | BC | 216 | Apr. 6 | Nov. 9 |
| Dawson Creek | BC | 84 | Jun. 5 | Aug. 29 |
| Kamloops | BC | 156 | May 1 | Oct. 5 |
| Kelowna | BC | 156 | May 4 | Oct. 8 |
| Nanaimo | BC | 171 | Apr. 28 | Oct. 17 |
| Nelson | BC | 159 | May 4 | Oct. 13 |
| Port Alberni | BC | 159 | May 8 | Oct. 15 |
| Prince George | BC | 91 | Jun. 4 | Sept. 3 |
| Prince Rupert | BC | 156 | May 9 | Oct. 13 |
| Vancouver | BC | 221 | Mar. 28 | Nov. 5 |
| Victoria | BC | 200 | Apr. 19 | Nov. 5 |
| Brandon | MB | 105 | May 27 | Sept. 10 |
| Lynn Lake | MB | 89 | Jun. 8 | Sept. 6 |
| The Pas | MB | 112 | May 27 | Sept. 17 |
| Thompson | MB | 61 | Jun. 15 | Aug. 16 |
| Winnipeg | MB | 119 | May 25 | Sept. 22 |
| Bathurst | NB | 129 | May 19 | Sept. 26 |
| Edmundston | NB | 112 | May 28 | Sept. 18 |
| Fredericton | NB | 124 | May 20 | Sept. 22 |
| Moncton | NB | 125 | May 24 | Sept. 27 |
| Saint John | NB | 139 | May 18 | Oct. 4 |
| Corner Brook | NF | 142 | May 22 | Oct. 12 |
| Gander | NF | 123 | Jun. 3 | Oct. 5 |
| Grand Falls | NF | 115 | Jun. 2 | Sept. 26 |
| St. John's | NF | 131 | Jun. 2 | Oct. 12 |
| Halifax | NS | 166 | May 6 | Oct. 20 |
| Kentville | NS | 141 | May 16 | Oct. 5 |
| Sydney | NS | 141 | May 24 | Oct. 13 |
| Truro | NS | 113 | May 30 | Sept. 21 |
| Yarmouth | NS | 169 | May 1 | Oct. 18 |
| Aklavik | NT | 76 | Jun. 13 | Aug. 31 |
| Fort Simpson | NT | 81 | Jun. 3 | Aug. 24 |
| Yellowknife | NT | 110 | May 27 | Sept. 15 |
| Barrie | ON | 112 | May 26 | Sept. 16 |
| Hamilton | ON | 168 | Apr. 29 | Oct. 15 |
| Kapuskasing | ON | 87 | Jun. 12 | Sept. 8 |
| Kingston | ON | 160 | May 2 | Oct. 10 |
| Kitchener | ON | 139 | May 11 | Sept. 29 |
| London | ON | 151 | May 9 | Oct. 8 |
| Ottawa | ON | 151 | May 6 | Oct. 5 |
| Owen Sound | ON | 155 | May 12 | Oct. 15 |
| Peterborough | ON | 124 | May 18 | Sept. 20 |
| Sudbury | ON | 130 | May 17 | Sept. 25 |
| Thunder Bay | ON | 105 | Jun. 1 | Sept. 15 |
| Timmins | ON | 89 | Jun. 8 | Sept. 6 |
| Toronto | ON | 149 | May 9 | Oct. 6 |
| Windsor | ON | 179 | Apr. 25 | Oct. 22 |
| Charlottetown | PE | 150 | May 17 | Oct. 14 |
| Summerside | PE | 162 | May 9 | Oct. 19 |
| Tignish | PE | 138 | May 23 | Oct. 9 |
| Baie Comeau | QC | 109 | May 28 | Sept. 15 |
| Chicoutimi | QC | 133 | May 17 | Sept. 30 |
| Montreal | QC | 156 | May 3 | Oct. 7 |
| Quebec | QC | 139 | May 13 | Sept. 29 |
| Rimouski | QC | 139 | May 13 | Sept. 30 |
| Sherbrooke | QC | 100 | Jun. 1 | Sept. 10 |
| Tadoussac | QC | 141 | May 13 | Oct. 2 |
| Thetford Mines | QC | 106 | May 28 | Sept. 14 |
| Trois-Rivieres | QC | 124 | May 19 | Sept. 23 |
| Moose Jaw | SK | 120 | May 20 | Sept. 18 |
| North Battleford | SK | 120 | May 19 | Sept. 17 |
| Prince Albert | SK | 93 | Jun. 2 | Sept. 4 |
| Regina | SK | 111 | May 21 | Sept. 10 |
| Saskatoon | SK | 116 | May 21 | Sept. 15 |
| Weyburn | SK | 112 | May 22 | Sept. 12 |
| Yorkton | SK | 110 | May 23 | Sept. 11 |
| Dawson | YT | 62 | Jun. 13 | Aug. 17 |
| Watson Lake | YT | 91 | Jun. 2 | Sept. 4 |
The link to more frost dates in Alberta is
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10
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Comments
Hello! I would like to see
Hello!
I would like to see some Eastern Alberta locations for frost and other weather reports.
Thank You
Ken
Ken, We've added a few more
Ken, We've added a few more dates for eastern Alberta. Also, the link to more frost dates in Alberta is
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10
I think the Kelowna and
I think the Kelowna and Nelson data might be reversed. Kelowna has a much longer growing season and definitely doesn't have first frost by Sept 20th.
The dates given are courtesy
The dates given are courtesy of Environment Canada, and they are the normal averages for a light freeze. As stated above, local weather and topography may cause considerable variations.
The Environment Canada people
The Environment Canada people at the airport frequently do not identify the correct conditions on their website, ie the clouds versus sun etc. We have far more frost free days than what information they have supplied you with. Thanks!
Hello, all, Environment
Hello, all, Environment Canada provides for 5 locations in Kelowna. We adjusted the date for a longer growing period. Thank you for commenting.
nice information.
nice information.
Good Work !
Hi,
I would like to see some Eastern Alberta spot for freeze and other weather reports.
Thank You !
Hi, Kate, OK, we've added
Hi, Kate, OK, we've added more dates for Eastern Alberta on the chart above. And, if it helps, the link to more frost dates in Alberta is
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10
The Abbotsford, B.C. data
The Abbotsford, B.C. data can't possibly be correct as it lies between Vancouver and Chilliwack but is slightly more south? The first frost does not come before Halloween, ever. I always leave my houseplants outside until the week of Halloween. The data should be somewhere between Vancouver and Chilliwack data, as Chilliwack is usually a little colder Thanks.
Our data comes from
Our data comes from Environment Canada and the Abbotsford B.C. dates seem to be correct when looking at other sources.
http://abbotsfordwx.com/climate.php
www.gardencoacheschat.com/canada-frost-dates/british-columbia/a-b.html
http://urban-gardener.webs.com/frostdatesforcanada.htm
This is great, thank you!
This is great, thank you! How about St. Catharines (6a and 6b depending where in city https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/laasmapper.phtml?MapSize=500%2C500&ViewRegion=Quick+Zoom&minx=1212692.451600&miny=5990124.704610&maxx=1415267.591820&maxy=6192699.844829&imagewidth=500&imageheight=500&CMD=ZOOM_IN&CMD=ZOOM_IN&CHKBOX%5B2057%5D=2057&CHKBOX%5B4240%5D=4240&CHKBOX%5B2700%5D=2700&CHKBOX%5B2701%5D=2701&CHKBOX%5B62129%5D=62129&CHKBOX%5B2511%5D=2511&SET%5B1705%5D=0&SET%5B1305%5D=0&SET%5B11705%5D=0&PREVIOUS_MODE=1&title=USDA+Plant+Hardiness+Zones+In+Canada&title_e=USDA+Plant+Hardiness+Zones+In+Canada&title_f=Les+zones+de+rusticit%E9+de+l%92USDA+au+Canada&NEK=e&LAYERS=2511%2C62129%2C2701%2C2700%2C4240%2C2057&SETS=1705%2C1305%2C11705&mainmap.x=227&mainmap.y=240) and any predictions for last frost for 2012 since it has been one of the warmest with low temps predicted to be higher than seasonal highs for the next couple weeks?
Thank you!
hi would like to know the
hi would like to know the frost dates for estler in williams lake bc, its higher up on the mountain so its different than the city
thanks
does any one know the frost
does any one know the frost dates for baddeck ns
What about the full moon June
What about the full moon June 4th? Could this moon create a frost situation in Southwestern Ontario?
Air temperature is not
Air temperature is not affected by Moon phase. It is affected by the season and whether there is a cloud cover, among other things. On a clear night, heat rises from Earth if there is no cloud cover holding it in. This might make you think it's colder because there is a full Moon, but it's really colder just because the sky is clear.
You have a great almanac for
You have a great almanac for many things but your frost dates for Charlottetown,PEI and for Abbotsford,BC are totally incorrect.
I grew up in PEI and lived there for 40 years. Then I moved to Chilliwack,BC twenty years ago.
I am an avid gardener and I know for a fact that PEI gets a late snowstorm every year in May. In fact, I have seen snow in PEI every month of the year except July and August! The frost warning is only up about June 10th or so. ( Call them at Vesey Seeds, Charlottetown, PEI because they would always warn us to not plant seedlings until the frost warning was up in June!
As for Abbotsford, BC---- I live just a half hour drive east of Abbotsford in Chilliwack,BC and Abbotsford's winter/spring weather is definitely warmer than here in Chilliwack. There is a definite difference of earlier warmth in Abbotsford than in Chilliwack. The farther east you go from Vancouver, the cooler it gets in springtime before hot summer weather descends.
Your frost predictions seem about on for Chilliwack,BC but are definitely incorrect for PEI and for Abbotsford,BC.
I hope this helps you with creating a more accurate almanac.
Hi, Elizabeth, Thanks for
Hi, Elizabeth, Thanks for your kind words. The frost data reference is Environment Canada. (We do not create frost dates.) Dates are calculated based on a 30 year rolling average of the last spring and first fall frosts from station data compiled between the years 1961 to 1990. Keep in mind that these trended frost dates do not really address microclimates so your own records may provide a better average for your needs. See more here: http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html
I would like to see some
I would like to see some frost dates for Labrador. NF is not just the island of Newfoundland. I live in Western Labrador and there is nothing for Labrador or even Northern Quebec to estimate off of. Please help.
We will add more locations to
We will add more locations to our chart when we can verify the dates. In the meantime we suggest that you visit the Environment Canada website or www.gardencoacheschat.com/canada-frost-dates/newfoundland.
Dear sirs: To claim that the
Dear sirs: To claim that the Greater Toronto Area has only 149 frost free days,with all due respect,is utterly absurd,even though,toronto's growing season fluctuates considerably from year to year,it's hard to beleave that Hamilton,which is only about 20 miles away from Toronto would have such longer a growing season than Greater Toronto.
These dates are from
These dates are from Environment Canada, compiled from data between 1961 through 1990. We will investigate whether they have made any recent revisions to their dates.
In the meantime, you might check the following Web page from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. This page lists frost dates from Ontario. According to this study, using data from 1976 through 2000, Toronto is in Zone B, where the average frost dates are April 30 and October 13.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/climzoneveg.htm
i hoped to see dates for
i hoped to see dates for Whitehorse, Yukon, which is the Territory's capital
Here are dates for
Here are dates for Whitehorse, Yukon:
June 11, Aug 25
Unfortunately, we can not find this information about frost dates on Environment Canada. So, we have referenced other sources:
http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/learn/reference/frost/canada
http://www.geocities.com/mastergardener2k/frostcanada.html
I am trying to find "Frost
I am trying to find "Frost Date" information for my city in Canada but even googling I can only find this stat for only a limited # of Ontario locations. Any ideas where are more comprehensive data base can be found on-line?
We are waiting for
We are waiting for Environment Canada to update their data. For Ontario, at least, you can find more data here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/climzoneveg.htm
I appreciate your website
I appreciate your website I've got a lot of helpful info in place. But I'm wondering if you could add a few more spots for Nova Scotia such as Bridgewater, Liverpool, Shelburne, Barrington Passage, Clarks Harbour, Digby, Pubnico and Argyle.
We will update all our
We will update all our Canadian frost dates and add locations when Environment Canada has updated their database. You can find some additional locations for Nova Scotia at
www.gardencoacheschat.com/canada-frost-dates/nova-scotia/a-f.html
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