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

Planting zone for 96119 — Madeline, CA

ZIP code 96119 (Madeline, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 14 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 96119 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 frostJun 14
First frostSep 18
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. 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 Madeline, 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 Madeline, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJuly 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Aug 31
Growing season94 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 30 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Jess Valley, CA — 20 miles away, elevation 5,401 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 96119

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
SpinachSow outdoors · May 3 – May 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 17 – May 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
LettuceSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 21 – Jul 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 28 – Jul 12
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 21 – Jul 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 21 – Jul 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 21 – Jul 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 14) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 96119 came on Mar 17 — 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

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 Madeline, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96119 is Fiddler — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fiddler-Orhood-Petescreek association, 5 to 30 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 96119; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Madeline, CA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, December
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights195nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,591base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 21 °F 45°21° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 40 °F 74°40° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 47 °F 84°47° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 46 °F 84°46° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 39 °F 77°39° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 31 °F 65°31° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 25 °F 51°25° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jess Valley, CA (20 mi away); precipitation: Adin Mtn, CA (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961326a
Termo, CA · 10 mi
961166b
Likely, CA · 16 mi
960067a
Adin, CA · 16 mi
961236b
Ravendale, CA · 18 mi
960097a
Bieber, CA · 24 mi
961106b
Eagleville, CA · 26 mi
961016b
Alturas, CA · 29 mi
960547a
Lookout, CA · 33 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96119

What planting zone is ZIP code 96119?

ZIP code 96119 (Madeline, 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 Madeline, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96119 is June 14; after July 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jess Valley station.

When is the first frost in Madeline, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96119 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 94 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96119?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 19 – May 3 and set transplants outside around Jun 21 – Jul 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96119 get?

About 29.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Adin Mtn station).

How hot do summers get in Madeline, CA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96119 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fiddler at the center of ZIP 96119: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Madeline, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96119 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Madeline, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96119 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96119 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96119 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.