Updated: 2026-07-31
The latest spring frost ever recorded at the nearest Met Office station to Glasgow was on 22 June 1996, when the temperature dropped to -0.2°C. That means in the worst year on record, gardeners had to wait until nearly the end of June before the final frost of the season. In an average year, though, the danger passes much earlier—usually in May.
The closest Met Office weather station to Glasgow is at Aberfoyle (province of Perthshire in central region), located at 28 m altitude, about 35.6 km away. These are its historical records, which serve as the best available reference for Glasgow, though the actual frost dates in the city may differ due to local factors such as altitude, urban heat, or proximity to the River Clyde.
If you're planning to plant tender vegetables or move houseplants outdoors, the data from Aberfoyle gives you a clear picture: on average, the last frost of spring at this station falls somewhere in the window between late April and late May. But as the record shows, some years push the risk far beyond—making it wise to hold off on the most frost-sensitive plants until the second half of June.
The coldest minimum temperature in the entire record period was -14.4°C, recorded on 7 January 1970. That deep freeze came in the heart of winter, far removed from the spring frost question—but it underlines just how cold this region can get, and it remains the absolute record for the station to this day.
The monthly averages below show how the risk of frost declines as spring advances. March is the month with the most frost days on average, followed closely by February. By June, frost becomes rare—but not impossible, as the 1996 record shows.
| Month | Average Frost Days |
|---|---|
| January | 10.6 |
| February | 13.7 |
| March | 14.3 |
| April | 9.7 |
| May | 4.6 |
| June | 0.4 |
| July | 0.1 |
| September | 1.2 |
| October | 3.5 |
| November | 8.8 |
| December | 9.2 |
The pattern is clear: frost is a regular companion through winter and early spring, with an average of 14.3 frost days in March. By May, that average drops to 4.6 days, and by June it falls to just 0.4. The station has even seen a single frost day in July on average, a reminder that in this part of Scotland, cold snaps can occur in almost any month.
The table below shows the last day with a minimum temperature below 0°C for each year between January and June. The years with data show a wide spread, but the extremes stand out: 1996, 1994, and 1998 all saw frost into mid-June, while 1975 ended its frost season as early as January.
The chart shows the complete annual series. The table lists the most notable years; the full series comes from Met Office.
| Year | Last Spring Frost | Minimum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 1969-06-05 | -0.6 |
| 1971 | 1971-05-04 | -2.2 |
| 1972 | 1972-05-16 | -0.5 |
| 1974 | 1974-05-07 | -0.5 |
| 1994 | 1994-06-13 | -0.5 |
| 1996 | 1996-06-22 | -0.2 |
| 2000 | 2000-04-17 | -0.2 |
Looking at the years with records, the most common timing for the last spring frost is the first half of May, with several years falling between 4 May and 24 May. The early end of the range is dramatic: 1975 saw its last frost on 29 January, meaning the station went the entire spring and summer without a single frost day—a remarkable outcome for this location. At the other extreme, 1996's frost on 22 June is the latest ever recorded, and 1994 and 1998 both pushed into the second week of June.
What does this mean for the gardener around Glasgow? The data from Aberfoyle suggests that the safest bet is to wait until the risk of a late spring frost has truly passed. While the average year in May sees about 4.6 frost days, the record years show that frost can extend well into June. Indigenous trees root under the same sky, and the seasonal shift is gradual: by July, the station averages just 0.1 frost days, but that lone day in the record indicates that even in the height of summer, a very slight dip is possible.
For practical planting decisions, the pattern at this station points to a cautious approach: tender plants are safest outdoors after mid-June, especially in years following a cold spring. If you're planting earlier, be prepared to protect the most vulnerable plants on any night when the forecast suggests a dip below freezing, particularly in the first half of May when the average still counts 4.6 frost days.
Remember that these figures come from Aberfoyle, the nearest available station, located 35.6 km from Glasgow. The actual conditions in the city centre—where buildings absorb and retain heat—may reduce frost risk, while outlying areas or elevated districts could see frost slightly later. For a definitive answer tailored to your exact plot, the station record is your best guide: plan for mid-May as the typical last frost, but keep protection ready through the first weeks of June, just in case.
Source: Met Office MIDAS data from the Aberfoyle station, period 1968–2001.
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