Frost dates for 71677Winchester, AR
The average last spring frost in Winchester is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 245 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 245 days
Safer after Mar 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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) | Mar 8 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 222 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 12 · Mar 29 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 245 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 2 · Mar 19 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 20 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Winchester
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 | Feb 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71677 is matched to the NOAA station Dumas, AR, 16.9 km away, at 163 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumas, AR (used) | 163 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Rohwer 2 Nne, AR | 150 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Dermott 3 Ne, AR | 145 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| Monticello Muni Ap, AR | 290 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Winchester
- Tillar, AR 71670 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Pickens, AR 71662 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Mc Gehee, AR 71654 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Dumas, AR 71639 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Rohwer, AR 71666 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Watson, AR 71674 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Dermott, AR 71638 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Arkansas City, AR 71630 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Winchester, AR?
- For ZIP code 71677, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dumas, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Winchester, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71677?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 245 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.