Frost dates for 48416Brown City, MI
The average last spring frost in Brown City is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 30 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brown City
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48416 is matched to the NOAA station Sandusky, MI, 26.7 km away, at 774 ft elevation (43 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandusky, MI (used) | 774 ft | May 2 | Oct 16 |
| Yale 1 Nnw, MI | 820 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Lapeer Wwtp, MI | 820 ft | May 4 | Oct 14 |
| Lapeer 2W, MI | 837 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Brown City
- Melvin, MI 48454 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Marlette, MI 48453 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Peck, MI 48466 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Yale, MI 48097 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Clifford, MI 48727 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- North Branch, MI 48461 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Imlay City, MI 48444 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Capac, MI 48014 · last May 1, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brown City, MI?
- For ZIP code 48416, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sandusky, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Brown City, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48416?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.