Frost dates for 69103North Platte, NE
The average last spring frost in North Platte is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 22 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Platte
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 20 |
| 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 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| 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 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69103 is matched to the NOAA station N Platte Exp Farm, NE, 1.2 km away, at 3,025 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Platte Exp Farm, NE (used) | 3,025 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| North Platte Rgnl Ap, NE | 2,778 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Hershey 5 Sse, NE | 2,952 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| Brady, NE | 2,651 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near North Platte
- North Platte, NE 69101 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Maxwell, NE 69151 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Wellfleet, NE 69170 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Hershey, NE 69143 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Brady, NE 69123 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Sutherland, NE 69165 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Dickens, NE 69132 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Wallace, NE 69169 · last May 4, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Platte, NE?
- For ZIP code 69103, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Platte Exp Farm, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in North Platte, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69103?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.