Frost dates for 57658Wakpala, SD
The average last spring frost in Wakpala is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 1 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 19 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wakpala
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57658 is matched to the NOAA station Mobridge 2Nnw, SD, 16.4 km away, at 1,693 ft elevation (66 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobridge 2Nnw, SD (used) | 1,693 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Mobridge Muni Ap, SD | 1,715 ft | May 5 | Oct 4 |
| Mc Laughlin, SD | 2,001 ft | May 12 | Sep 28 |
| Pollock, SD | 1,639 ft | May 8 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Wakpala
- Mobridge, SD 57601 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Little Eagle, SD 57639 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Glenham, SD 57631 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Pollock, SD 57648 · last May 8, first Sep 30
- Trail City, SD 57657 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Mc Laughlin, SD 57642 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Mound City, SD 57646 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Herreid, SD 57632 · last May 8, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wakpala, SD?
- For ZIP code 57658, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mobridge 2Nnw, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Wakpala, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57658?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.