Frost dates for 04970Rangeley, ME
The average last spring frost in Rangeley is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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) | May 23 · Jun 3 · Jun 15 | Sep 2 · Sep 15 · Sep 28 | 104 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 10 · May 23 · Jun 3 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 10 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rangeley
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 | Apr 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04970 is matched to the NOAA station Rangeley, ME, 1.9 km away, at 1,530 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangeley, ME (used) | 1,530 ft | May 23 | Sep 27 |
| Rangeley 2 Nw, ME | 1,780 ft | May 23 | Sep 24 |
| Middle Dam, ME | 1,460 ft | May 19 | Oct 1 |
| Eustis, ME | 1,260 ft | May 24 | Sep 21 |
Frost dates near Rangeley
- Oquossoc, ME 04964 · last May 23, first Sep 27
- Stratton, ME 04982 · last May 23, first Sep 27
- Phillips, ME 04966 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Roxbury, ME 04275 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Weld, ME 04285 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Andover, ME 04216 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Kingfield, ME 04947 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Strong, ME 04983 · last May 16, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rangeley, ME?
- For ZIP code 04970, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rangeley, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in Rangeley, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04970?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.