Frost dates for 48763Tawas City, MI
The average last spring frost in Tawas City is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 6 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 26 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tawas 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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48763 is matched to the NOAA station E Tawas, MI, 3.8 km away, at 586 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Tawas, MI (used) | 586 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Hale 5Ssw #2, MI | 816 ft | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| Hale Loud Dam, MI | 728 ft | May 16 | Oct 5 |
| Glennie 2Se, MI | 894 ft | May 19 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Tawas City
- Tawas City, MI 48764 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- East Tawas, MI 48730 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- National City, MI 48748 · last May 16, first Oct 5
- Whittemore, MI 48770 · last May 23, first Sep 26
- Turner, MI 48765 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- Oscoda, MI 48750 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Hale, MI 48739 · last May 16, first Oct 5
- Twining, MI 48766 · last May 5, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tawas City, MI?
- For ZIP code 48763, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Tawas, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Tawas City, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48763?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.