Your nature year
Carlsbad, New Mexicothrough the year
When do frost, green-up and fall color come to Carlsbad?
Expect about 240 frost-free days in Carlsbad: the last spring frost usually comes around Mar 17, the first fall one around Nov 12, going by NOAA's Carlsbad station 3.8 miles away. Carlsbad sits at about 3,126 feet.
The USA-NPN spring index puts first leaf here around Feb 7 and first bloom around Mar 11. Spring takes about 5 weeks to go from leaf to bloom. Within 150 miles we follow 3 places, out to White Sands 115 miles to the west. For a day trip, Guadalupe Mountains is 42 miles off; its fall foliage is usually at its best Oct 25–Nov 7. Bitter Lake Refuge (74 mi) is the pick for winter wildlife, Oct 1–Dec 31 (local timing).
Updated Sep 27. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Carlsbad's year at a glance
- Frost possible
- Frost-free, ~Mar 17 to ~Nov 12
- First leaf ~Feb 7
- First bloom ~Mar 11
- Today
Near Carlsbad right now
- First fall frost usually around Nov 12 · last spring frost around Mar 17NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carlsbad (3.8 mi, 50% dates)~6 weeks
- Winter wildlife · Bitter Lake Refuge · 74 miLocal timing: Oct 1–Dec 31~2 days
Carlsbad's nature year
- Feb: Spring green-upFeb
- Mar: Last spring frostMar
- Wildflowers · White SandsApr–May
- Winter wildlife · Bitter Lake RefugeOct–Dec
- Fall foliage · Guadalupe MountainsOct–Nov
- Nov: First fall frostNov
Nearby, season by season
Fall foliage
- Guadalupe Mountains · 42 miusually Oct 25–Nov 7~4 weeks
Wildflowers
- White Sands · 115 miLocal timing: from around mid-April, with more flowers joining in mid-May~7 months
Winter wildlife
- Bitter Lake Refuge · 74 miLocal timing: Oct 1–Dec 31~2 days
Frost and green-up
Last spring frost
Mar 17
Average (50% date)
First fall frost
Nov 12
About 240 days without frost between
Spring green-up
Feb 7
First bloom around Mar 11
Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Carlsbad (3.8 mi from Carlsbad), the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not. Green-up: the USA-NPN Spring Index, 1991–2020 average at the town.
Questions people ask
When is the first frost in Carlsbad?
On average around Nov 12, and the last spring frost around Mar 17: about 240 days without frost between. These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals at Carlsbad, 3.8 miles away (the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not).
When does spring green-up reach Carlsbad?
The USA-NPN Spring Index puts first leaf around Feb 7 and first bloom around Mar 11, on average for 1991–2020 at the town.
Where can I see fall foliage near Carlsbad?
Guadalupe Mountains, 42 miles (usually Oct 25–Nov 7). Distances are straight-line.
Where can I see wildflowers near Carlsbad?
White Sands, 115 miles (local timing: from around mid-April, with more flowers joining in mid-May). Distances are straight-line.
How we know
US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)