Frost dates for 69367Whitney, NE
The average last spring frost in Whitney is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 14 · May 26 · Jun 12 | Sep 1 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 13 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 154 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whitney
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69367 is matched to the NOAA station Chadron 3Sw, NE, 16.3 km away, at 3,383 ft elevation (131 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chadron 3Sw, NE (used) | 3,383 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Chadron Muni Ap, NE | 3,318 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Ft Robinson, NE | 3,812 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Harrison 9Ne, NE | 4,029 ft | May 12 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Whitney
- Crawford, NE 69339 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Chadron, NE 69337 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Marsland, NE 69354 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Oelrichs, SD 57763 · last May 15, first Sep 30
- Hay Springs, NE 69347 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Hemingford, NE 69348 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Harrison, NE 69346 · last May 20, first Sep 21
- Smithwick, SD 57782 · last May 15, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whitney, NE?
- For ZIP code 69367, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chadron 3Sw, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Whitney, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. 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 69367?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.