Last spring frost
The last spring frost is an estimated date after which the chance of another damaging cold night becomes lower, but not zero.
❄ Wisconsin Gardening and Weather Tool
Wisconsin Frost Date Lookup
Find estimated last spring frost and first fall frost dates for Wisconsin cities and ZIP codes. Compare planting-risk levels and estimate the length of your frost-free growing season.
Choose a Wisconsin location
Select a city or enter a Wisconsin ZIP code. ZIP-code results use the nearest included Wisconsin location as a planning estimate.
First fall frost
The first fall frost marks the approximate end of the outdoor growing season for many tender annual plants.
Growing season
The frost-free growing season is the estimated number of days between the last spring frost and first fall frost.
How to use the Wisconsin frost date lookup
Select a Wisconsin city or enter a Wisconsin ZIP code. Choose an average, cautious or very cautious planning level. The tool then estimates the last spring frost, first fall frost and frost-free growing season.
What do the planning levels mean?
- Average: Uses the central planning date stored for the selected Wisconsin location.
- Cautious: Moves the spring date seven days later and the fall date seven days earlier.
- Very cautious: Moves the spring date fourteen days later and the fall date fourteen days earlier.
Should you plant on the last frost date?
The average last frost date is not a guarantee that freezing weather has ended. Gardeners planting tomatoes, peppers, basil and other cold-sensitive plants may prefer to wait several additional days and review the current local forecast.
Why can frost dates differ within the same city?
Cold air often settles in lower areas, while locations near large bodies of water may experience different temperature patterns. Urban areas, open fields, wooded land, elevation and local terrain can also affect overnight temperatures.
Frost versus freeze
Frost can form when surfaces cool enough for ice crystals even when the official air temperature is slightly above freezing. A freeze generally refers to measured air temperatures at or below 32°F. Plant damage depends on the temperature, duration and type of plant.
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