Frost dates for 49461Whitehall, MI
The average last spring frost in Whitehall is May 19 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 15 · May 31 · Jun 22 | Sep 1 · Sep 23 · Oct 7 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 19 · Jun 6 | Sep 16 · Oct 4 · Oct 20 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 5 · May 26 | Sep 30 · Oct 18 · Nov 4 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whitehall
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49461 is matched to the NOAA station Montague 4 Nw, MI, 10.5 km away, at 650 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montague 4 Nw, MI (used) | 650 ft | May 19 | Oct 4 |
| Fremont 4 Wsw, MI | 800 ft | May 8 | Oct 11 |
| Muskegon Co Ap, MI | 625 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Hesperia 4 Wnw, MI | 780 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Whitehall
- Montague, MI 49437 · last May 19, first Oct 4
- Sylvan Beach, MI 49463 · last May 19, first Oct 4
- Muskegon, MI 49445 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Rothbury, MI 49452 · last May 19, first Oct 4
- Twin Lake, MI 49457 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Holton, MI 49425 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- New Era, MI 49446 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Shelby, MI 49455 · last May 12, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whitehall, MI?
- For ZIP code 49461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montague 4 Nw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Whitehall, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49461?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.