Frost dates for 68641Howells, NE
The average last spring frost in Howells is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 3 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Howells
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 | Mar 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68641 is matched to the NOAA station Howells, NE, 0.8 km away, at 1,520 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howells, NE (used) | 1,520 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 11 |
| Clarkson, NE | 1,550 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| W Pt, NE | 1,310 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| Stanton, NE | 1,540 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Howells
- Dodge, NE 68633 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Clarkson, NE 68629 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Snyder, NE 68664 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Leigh, NE 68643 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- West Point, NE 68788 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Stanton, NE 68779 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Beemer, NE 68716 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Pilger, NE 68768 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Howells, NE?
- For ZIP code 68641, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Howells, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Howells, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. 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 68641?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.