Frost dates for 54702Eau Claire, WI
The average last spring frost in Eau Claire is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 5 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eau Claire
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54702 is matched to the NOAA station Eau Claire Rgnl Ap, WI, 6.2 km away, at 885 ft elevation (97 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire Rgnl Ap, WI (used) | 885 ft | May 8 | Oct 4 |
| Eau Claire 3Sw, WI | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Mondovi, WI | 830 ft | May 10 | Oct 2 |
| Bloomer, WI | 990 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Eau Claire
- Eau Claire, WI 54703 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Altoona, WI 54720 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Elk Mound, WI 54739 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Fall Creek, WI 54742 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Rock Falls, WI 54764 · last May 10, first Oct 2
- Eleva, WI 54738 · last May 10, first Oct 2
- Colfax, WI 54730 · last May 5, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eau Claire, WI?
- For ZIP code 54702, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eau Claire Rgnl Ap, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Eau Claire, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54702?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.