Frost dates for 99757Lake Minchumina, AK
The average last spring frost in Lake Minchumina is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 17, giving a typical growing season of about 124 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 17
- Growing season
- 124 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 12 · May 26 · Jun 6 | Aug 23 · Sep 5 · Sep 17 | 103 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 3 · Sep 17 · Sep 27 | 124 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 142 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Minchumina
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – May 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 8 – Jun 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Aug 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99757 is matched to the NOAA station Minchumina, AK, 2.7 km away, at 1,025 ft elevation (349 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minchumina, AK (used) | 1,025 ft | May 13 | Sep 17 |
| Denali 27 N, AK | 2,225 ft | May 25 | Sep 8 |
| Ruby 44 Ese, AK | 259 ft | May 22 | Sep 3 |
| Tanana Calhoun Mem Ap, AK | 227 ft | May 29 | Aug 28 |
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Minchumina, AK?
- For ZIP code 99757, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Minchumina, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Lake Minchumina, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99757?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 124 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.