Frost dates for 57247Lake City, SD
The average last spring frost in Lake City is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (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) | Apr 30 · May 11 · May 24 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake 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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57247 is matched to the NOAA station Roy Lake, SD, 7 km away, at 1,810 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Lake, SD (used) | 1,810 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Sisseton, SD | 1,209 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Sisseton Muni Ap, SD | 1,161 ft | May 3 | Sep 30 |
| Waubay Natl Wild Life, SD | 1,827 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Lake City
- Eden, SD 57232 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Veblen, SD 57270 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Grenville, SD 57239 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Sisseton, SD 57262 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Roslyn, SD 57261 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Claire City, SD 57224 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Peever, SD 57257 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Britton, SD 57430 · last May 13, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake City, SD?
- For ZIP code 57247, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Roy Lake, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Lake City, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57247?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.