Frost dates for 59427Cut Bank, MT
The average last spring frost in Cut Bank is May 24 and the average first fall frost is September 15, giving a typical growing season of about 113 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 24
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 15
- Growing season
- 113 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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) | — | — | 82 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 11 · May 24 · Jun 5 | Sep 1 · Sep 15 · Sep 27 | 113 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 24 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 136 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cut Bank
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 23 – Jun 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – May 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 6 – Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Aug 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – May 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59427 is matched to the NOAA station Cut Bank Muni Ap, MT, 6.4 km away, at 3,838 ft elevation (131 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Bank Muni Ap, MT (used) | 3,838 ft | May 24 | Sep 15 |
| Valier, MT | 3,807 ft | May 17 | Sep 24 |
| Shelby, MT | 3,325 ft | May 23 | Sep 16 |
| Sweetgrass, MT | 3,510 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Cut Bank
- Ethridge, MT 59435 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Kevin, MT 59454 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Oilmont, MT 59466 · last May 17, first Sep 25
- Shelby, MT 59474 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Valier, MT 59486 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Sweet Grass, MT 59484 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Browning, MT 59417 · last Jun 8, first Sep 5
- Sunburst, MT 59482 · last May 17, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cut Bank, MT?
- For ZIP code 59427, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cut Bank Muni Ap, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Cut Bank, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59427?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 113 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.