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

Planting zone for 96133 — Topaz, CA

ZIP code 96133 (Topaz, Mono 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 6.

Where ZIP 96133 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 6
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Topaz, 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 Topaz, 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 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Topaz Lake, NV — 8 miles away, elevation 5,292 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 96133

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 · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 96133 came on Mar 2 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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 Topaz, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96133 is Mindlebaugh — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Mindlebaugh loam, 0 to 2 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 96133; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Topaz, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,776base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation23.1 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 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 25 °F 51°25° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 29 °F 58°29° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 33 °F 63°33° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 48 °F 82°48° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 55 °F 92°55° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 53 °F 90°53° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 46 °F 82°46° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 36 °F 70°36° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 28 °F 56°28° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 FebMarch: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 2.05 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Topaz Lake, NV (8 mi away); precipitation: Monitor Pass, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

894446b
Wellington, NV · 11 mi
894107a
Gardnerville, NV · 12 mi
961076b
Coleville, CA · 15 mi
894306b
Smith, NV · 16 mi
952236b
Arnold, CA · 21 mi
961206b
Markleeville, CA · 21 mi
894606b
Gardnerville, NV · 25 mi
935176a
Bridgeport, CA · 27 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96133

What planting zone is ZIP code 96133?

ZIP code 96133 (Topaz, 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 Topaz, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96133 is May 12; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Topaz Lake station.

When is the first frost in Topaz, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96133 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96133?

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 96133 get?

About 23.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monitor Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Topaz, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96133 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mindlebaugh at the center of ZIP 96133: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Topaz, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96133 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Topaz, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96133 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96133 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96133 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.