Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 96014 — Callahan, CA

ZIP code 96014 (Callahan, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 96014 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMay 20
First frostOct 5
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Callahan, CA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Callahan, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Callahan, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 3,084 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 96014

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17
BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Oct 5) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 96014 came on Mar 4 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Callahan, CA

The center of ZIP 96014 is mapped as Rock outcrop: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 96014; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Callahan, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,478base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation20.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall4 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 40 °F 73°40° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 45 °F 81°45° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 51 °F 90°51° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 49 °F 89°49° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 43 °F 83°43° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 36 °F 70°36° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 31 °F 54°31° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.48 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 2.38 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 2.4❄1 MarApril: 1.37 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.4 AprMay: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 2.27 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 2.3❄1 NovDecember: 3.75 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 3.8❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Callahan, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Callahan, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

960348a
Gazelle, CA · 10 mi
960378a
Greenview, CA · 13 mi
960328a
Fort Jones, CA · 17 mi
960388a
Grenada, CA · 19 mi
960278a
Etna, CA · 23 mi
960917b
Trinity Center, CA · 24 mi
960948a
Weed, CA · 24 mi
960678a
Mount Shasta, CA · 25 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96014

What planting zone is ZIP code 96014?

ZIP code 96014 (Callahan, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Callahan, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96014 is May 20; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Callahan station.

When is the first frost in Callahan, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96014 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96014?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96014 get?

About 20.8 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Callahan station).

How hot do summers get in Callahan, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Callahan, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96014 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Callahan, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96014 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96014 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96014 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.