Frost dates for 49963South Range, MI
The average last spring frost in South Range is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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 16 · Jun 1 · Jun 13 | Sep 3 · Sep 21 · Oct 5 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 17 · Jun 3 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 18 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 20 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Range
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49963 is matched to the NOAA station Hancock Houghton Co Ap, MI, 16.6 km away, at 1,063 ft elevation (154 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock Houghton Co Ap, MI (used) | 1,063 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| Jacobsville, MI | 650 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 23 |
| Baraga 7Nw, MI | 652 ft | May 25 | Sep 23 |
| Greenland 6N, MI | 791 ft | May 23 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near South Range
- Atlantic Mine, MI 49905 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Painesdale, MI 49955 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Dodgeville, MI 49921 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Houghton, MI 49931 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Hancock, MI 49930 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Chassell, MI 49916 · last Jun 1, first Sep 23
- Dollar Bay, MI 49922 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Hubbell, MI 49934 · last May 17, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Range, MI?
- For ZIP code 49963, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hancock Houghton Co Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in South Range, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. 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 49963?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.