Frost dates for 53157Pell Lake, WI
The average last spring frost in Pell Lake is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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) | Apr 29 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 9 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pell Lake
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53157 is matched to the NOAA station Pell Lake, WI, 2.3 km away, at 840 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pell Lake, WI (used) | 840 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
| Lake Geneva Wwtp, WI | 846 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 21 |
| Burlington, WI | 751 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Antioch, IL | 750 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Pell Lake
- Genoa City, WI 53128 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Powers Lake, WI 53159 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Twin Lakes, WI 53181 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Lake Geneva, WI 53147 · last Apr 25, first Oct 21
- Hebron, IL 60034 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Richmond, IL 60071 · last Apr 24, first Oct 23
- Bassett, WI 53101 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Zenda, WI 53195 · last Apr 25, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pell Lake, WI?
- For ZIP code 53157, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pell Lake, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Pell Lake, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53157?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.