Frost dates for 54403Wausau, WI
The average last spring frost in Wausau is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 4 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 31 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wausau
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54403 is matched to the NOAA station Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI, 8 km away, at 1,181 ft elevation (121 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI (used) | 1,181 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Merrill, WI | 1,250 ft | May 11 | Sep 30 |
| Rosholt 9 Nne, WI | 1,183 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Antigo, WI | 1,519 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Wausau
- Schofield, WI 54476 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Ringle, WI 54471 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Rothschild, WI 54474 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Brokaw, WI 54417 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Wausau, WI 54401 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Aniwa, WI 54408 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Hatley, WI 54440 · last May 6, first Oct 5
- Mosinee, WI 54455 · last May 6, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wausau, WI?
- For ZIP code 54403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Wausau, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54403?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.