Frost dates for 48661West Branch, MI
The average last spring frost in West Branch is May 15 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 11 · May 27 · Jun 8 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Branch
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48661 is matched to the NOAA station W Branch 3Se, MI, 3.5 km away, at 885 ft elevation (70 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Branch 3Se, MI (used) | 885 ft | May 15 | Oct 4 |
| Lupton 1S, MI | 908 ft | May 21 | Sep 29 |
| Hale 5Ssw #2, MI | 816 ft | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| Houghton Lk Roscommon Ap, MI | 1,151 ft | May 19 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near West Branch
- Alger, MI 48610 · last May 15, first Oct 4
- Rose City, MI 48654 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Prescott, MI 48756 · last May 15, first Oct 4
- Saint Helen, MI 48656 · last May 19, first Sep 23
- Lupton, MI 48635 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Sterling, MI 48659 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- Long Lake, MI 48743 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Hale, MI 48739 · last May 16, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Branch, MI?
- For ZIP code 48661, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Branch 3Se, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in West Branch, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48661?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.