Frost dates for 57002Aurora, SD
The average last spring frost in Aurora is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 3 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 6 · Sep 22 · Oct 5 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 24 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Aurora
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 11 |
| 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 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57002 is matched to the NOAA station Brookings 2 Ne, SD, 6.9 km away, at 1,639 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings 2 Ne, SD (used) | 1,639 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| Flandreau, SD | 1,567 ft | May 5 | Oct 1 |
| Astoria 4S, SD | 1,890 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Arlington 1 W, SD | 1,824 ft | May 3 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Aurora
- Brookings, SD 57006 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- White, SD 57276 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Elkton, SD 57026 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Volga, SD 57071 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Flandreau, SD 57028 · last May 5, first Oct 1
- Bruce, SD 57220 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Sinai, SD 57061 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Nunda, SD 57050 · last May 2, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Aurora, SD?
- For ZIP code 57002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brookings 2 Ne, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Aurora, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57002?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.