Frost dates for 54723Bay City, WI
The average last spring frost in Bay City is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 21 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bay City
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54723 is matched to the NOAA station Red Wing Dam 3, MN, 12.9 km away, at 677 ft elevation (45 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Wing Dam 3, MN (used) | 677 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Ellsworth 1E, WI | 1,030 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| River Falls, WI | 940 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Hastings Dam 2, MN | 680 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Bay City
- Hager City, WI 54014 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Red Wing, MN 55066 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Frontenac, MN 55026 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Ellsworth, WI 54011 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- East Ellsworth, WI 54010 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Maiden Rock, WI 54750 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Beldenville, WI 54003 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Stockholm, WI 54769 · last May 13, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bay City, WI?
- For ZIP code 54723, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Red Wing Dam 3, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Bay City, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. 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 54723?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.