Frost dates for 02841Newport, RI
The average last spring frost in Newport is April 11 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 11 · Apr 24 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Mar 31 · Apr 10 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Newport
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02841 is matched to the NOAA station Newport State Ap, RI, 4 km away, at 172 ft elevation (126 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport State Ap, RI (used) | 172 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 4 |
| Newport Rose, RI | 15 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
| Tiverton, RI | 90 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| Kingston 1 Nw, RI | 115 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Newport
- Newport, RI 02840 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Middletown, RI 02842 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Adamsville, RI 02801 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Jamestown, RI 02835 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Portsmouth, RI 02871 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Little Compton, RI 02837 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Saunderstown, RI 02874 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Narragansett, RI 02882 · last May 1, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Newport, RI?
- For ZIP code 02841, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newport State Ap, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Newport, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02841?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.