Frost dates for 48770Whittemore, MI
The average last spring frost in Whittemore is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 26, 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 26
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 21 · Jun 4 · Jun 22 | Sep 1 · Sep 16 · Sep 30 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 23 · Jun 7 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 152 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whittemore
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 6 |
| 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 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48770 is matched to the NOAA station Hale 5Ssw #2, MI, 9.2 km away, at 816 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hale 5Ssw #2, MI (used) | 816 ft | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| E Tawas, MI | 586 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Standish 4Ne, MI | 615 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
| Hale Loud Dam, MI | 728 ft | May 16 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Whittemore
- Twining, MI 48766 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- National City, MI 48748 · last May 16, first Oct 5
- Turner, MI 48765 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- Hale, MI 48739 · last May 16, first Oct 5
- Prescott, MI 48756 · last May 15, first Oct 4
- Omer, MI 48749 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- Tawas City, MI 48763 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Long Lake, MI 48743 · last May 21, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whittemore, MI?
- For ZIP code 48770, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hale 5Ssw #2, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Whittemore, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. 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 48770?
- 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.