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

Planting zone for 96125 — Sierra City, CA

ZIP code 96125 (Sierra City, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 96125 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostMay 12
First frostOct 29
2012 zone8a

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

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sierra 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 Sierra City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Bowman Dam, CA — 11 miles away, elevation 5,384 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 96125

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 96125 came on Mar 11 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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 Sierra City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96125 is Smokey — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Smokey-Lorack-Cryumbrepts, wet complex, 2 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 96125; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sierra City, CA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, February
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,227base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 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
Precipitation64.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall26 inper year; 18 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 54 °F 82°54° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 29 °F 45°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.26 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 11.3❄6 JanFebruary: 10.73 in precipitation, 7.9 in snowfall 10.7❄8 FebMarch: 10.00 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 10.0❄4 MarApril: 5.34 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 5.3❄1 AprMay: 3.65 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.6 MayJune: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 OctNovember: 6.81 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 6.8❄1 NovDecember: 11.81 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 11.8❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bowman Dam, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Downieville, CA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961246b
Calpine, CA · 7 mi
961067a
Clio, CA · 9 mi
959368a
Downieville, CA · 9 mi
961266b
Sierraville, CA · 11 mi
961037a
Blairsden Graeagle, CA · 12 mi
959448b
Goodyears Bar, CA · 14 mi
961226b
Portola, CA · 16 mi
959108b
Alleghany, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96125

What planting zone is ZIP code 96125?

ZIP code 96125 (Sierra City, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Sierra City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96125 is May 12; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bowman Dam station.

When is the first frost in Sierra City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96125 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96125?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96125 get?

About 64.9 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Downieville station).

How hot do summers get in Sierra City, CA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96125 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Smokey at the center of ZIP 96125: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 96125 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sierra City, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96125 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96125 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96125 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.