Frost dates for 99705North Pole, AK
The average last spring frost in North Pole is May 18 and the average first fall frost is September 5, giving a typical growing season of about 110 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 5
- Growing season
- 110 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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 17 · May 29 · Jun 11 | Aug 12 · Aug 25 · Sep 6 | 87 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 18 · May 31 | Aug 24 · Sep 5 · Sep 19 | 110 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 3 · Sep 17 · Sep 30 | 133 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Pole
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – May 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – May 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 6 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 26 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99705 is matched to the NOAA station N Pole, AK, 3.3 km away, at 475 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Pole, AK (used) | 475 ft | May 18 | Sep 5 |
| N Pole 1N, AK | 496 ft | May 22 | Sep 2 |
| Eielson Fld, AK | 547 ft | May 20 | Sep 1 |
| Aurora, AK | 443 ft | May 16 | Sep 6 |
Frost dates near North Pole
- Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 · last May 16, first Sep 6
- Fairbanks, AK 99712 · last Jun 1, first Aug 28
- Eielson Afb, AK 99702 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Two Rivers, AK 99716 · last May 30, first Sep 2
- Ester, AK 99725 · last May 15, first Sep 16
- Salcha, AK 99714 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Fort Greely, AK 99731 · last May 17, first Sep 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Pole, AK?
- For ZIP code 99705, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Pole, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in North Pole, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99705?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 110 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.