Frost dates for 74501Mcalester, OK
The average last spring frost in Mcalester is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 15 · Apr 5 | Oct 28 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 242 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mcalester
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 74501 is matched to the NOAA station Mcalester Rgnl Ap, OK, 5.4 km away, at 770 ft elevation (55 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcalester Rgnl Ap, OK (used) | 770 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Wilburton 9 Ene, OK | 635 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
| Tuskahoma, OK | 600 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Holdenville 3Ese Mesonet, OK | 918 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Mcalester
- Mcalester, OK 74502 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Krebs, OK 74554 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Alderson, OK 74522 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Savanna, OK 74565 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Haileyville, OK 74546 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Hartshorne, OK 74547 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Blanco, OK 74528 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Blocker, OK 74529 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mcalester, OK?
- For ZIP code 74501, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mcalester Rgnl Ap, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Mcalester, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 74501?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.