Frost dates for 69365Whiteclay, NE
The average last spring frost in Whiteclay is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 13 · May 26 · Jun 12 | Sep 3 · Sep 17 · Sep 30 | 111 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whiteclay
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69365 is matched to the NOAA station Pine Ridge Ap, SD, 4 km away, at 3,278 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Ridge Ap, SD (used) | 3,278 ft | May 16 | Sep 27 |
| Oglala 1S, SD | 2,995 ft | May 7 | Oct 4 |
| Rushville, NE | 3,790 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Gordon 6N, NE | 3,748 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Whiteclay
- Pine Ridge, SD 57770 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Wounded Knee, SD 57794 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Oglala, SD 57764 · last May 7, first Oct 4
- Manderson, SD 57756 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Rushville, NE 69360 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Batesland, SD 57716 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Porcupine, SD 57772 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Gordon, NE 69343 · last May 11, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whiteclay, NE?
- For ZIP code 69365, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pine Ridge Ap, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Whiteclay, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69365?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.