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

Planting zone for 96115 — Lake City, CA

ZIP code 96115 (Lake City, Modoc County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 96115 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 15
First frostOct 1
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lake City, 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 Lake City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Cedarville, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 4,689 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 96115

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 96115 came on Mar 10 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 Lake City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96115 is Raglan — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and reclaimed of excess salts and sodiumUSDA classification

Map unit: Raglan-Mazuma association.

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 96115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake City, CA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, December
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,548base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation13.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall22 inper year; 26 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 22 °F 44°22° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 28 °F 54°28° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 48 °F 79°48° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 53 °F 89°53° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 44 °F 81°44° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 34 °F 67°34° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 21 °F 42°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 1.71 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 1.7❄6 JanFebruary: 1.16 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 1.2❄3 FebMarch: 1.48 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.5❄2 MarApril: 1.41 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 1.4❄1 AprMay: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.94 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.9 OctNovember: 1.55 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 1.6❄3 NovDecember: 2.04 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 2.0❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cedarville, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Cedarville, CA (12 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.

961126b
Fort Bidwell, CA · 15 mi
961046b
Cedarville, CA · 16 mi
961086b
Davis Creek, CA · 18 mi
976356b
New Pine Creek, OR · 20 mi
961016b
Alturas, CA · 28 mi
961106b
Eagleville, CA · 31 mi
961166b
Likely, CA · 36 mi
894127a
Gerlach, NV · 44 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96115

What planting zone is ZIP code 96115?

ZIP code 96115 (Lake City, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Lake City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96115 is May 15; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedarville station.

When is the first frost in Lake City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96115 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96115?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96115 get?

About 13.1 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedarville station).

How hot do summers get in Lake City, CA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96115 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Raglan at the center of ZIP 96115: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lake City, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96115 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake City, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96115 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).