Frost dates for 54896Winter, WI
The average last spring frost in Winter is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 18 · Jun 2 · Jun 15 | Aug 31 · Sep 17 · Oct 1 | 105 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 8 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 22 | 152 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Winter
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54896 is matched to the NOAA station Winter, WI, 4 km away, at 1,355 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter, WI (used) | 1,355 ft | May 19 | Sep 27 |
| Big Falls Hydro, WI | 1,205 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Couderay 7 W, WI | 1,300 ft | — | — |
| Clam Lake 4W, WI | 1,498 ft | May 16 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Winter
- Ojibwa, WI 54862 · last May 19, first Sep 27
- Radisson, WI 54867 · last —, first —
- Couderay, WI 54828 · last —, first —
- Exeland, WI 54835 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Hayward, WI 54843 · last May 23, first Sep 22
- Edgewater, WI 54834 · last —, first —
- Clam Lake, WI 54517 · last May 16, first Sep 30
- Stone Lake, WI 54876 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Winter, WI?
- For ZIP code 54896, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winter, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in Winter, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54896?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.