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

Planting zone for 96118 — Loyalton, CA

ZIP code 96118 (Loyalton, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 96118 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 9
First frostOct 17
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 Loyalton, 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 Loyalton, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Verdi 2w, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 5,430 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 96118

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 96118 came on Mar 16 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 Loyalton, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96118 is Aldi — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter55%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aldi-Kyburz-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes.

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 96118; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Loyalton, CA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, December
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,167base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation27.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 47 °F 75°47° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 52 °F 84°52° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 FebMarch: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 OctNovember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Verdi 2w, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Sierraville Rs, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961057a
Chilcoot, CA · 6 mi
961266b
Sierraville, CA · 10 mi
961246b
Calpine, CA · 12 mi
961356b
Vinton, CA · 12 mi
961296b
Beckwourth, CA · 15 mi
894397a
Verdi, NV · 16 mi
961226b
Portola, CA · 17 mi
895237a
Reno, NV · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96118

What planting zone is ZIP code 96118?

ZIP code 96118 (Loyalton, 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 Loyalton, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96118 is May 9; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Verdi 2w station.

When is the first frost in Loyalton, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96118 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96118?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96118 get?

About 27.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sierraville Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Loyalton, CA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96118 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aldi at the center of ZIP 96118: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Loyalton, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96118 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Loyalton, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96118 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.