Frost dates for 90242 — Downey, CA
Last spring frostRaremost years have none
First fall frostRaremost years have none
Hardiness zone10bZone 10b
Gardening where frost is rare
Downey, CA rarely or never drops to freezing, so the usual "plant after the last frost" rule doesn't apply. Heat and rainfall decide the seasons instead:
- Cool-season crops (lettuce, broccoli, peas, carrots) grow best from fall through late winter.
- Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash) do best planted in late winter to spring, and again in late summer for a fall crop — midsummer heat can stop tomatoes setting fruit.
- Heat lovers (okra, sweet potatoes, melons) can be planted through spring and early summer.
How Downey compares
- Downey shares its weather station with Long Beach, CA, 16 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Long Beach Daugherty Fld, CA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
ZIP codes in Downey: 90239 90240 90241 90242
Frost dates near Downey
- Paramount rare frost
- Bellflower rare frost
- Bell Gardens rare frost
- Norwalk rare frost
- Lynwood rare frost
- Santa Fe Springs rare frost
- South Gate rare frost
- Bell rare frost
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Downey, CA?
In most years Downey, CA has no frost at all. The nearest NOAA station averages 0 nights a year at or below 32°F — too few to calculate a typical frost date.