Frost Dates and Planting Windows in Nebraska

The 32°F frost dates at the 184 weather stations in Nebraska with NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals, and the planting windows they give. These are long-term statistics, not a forecast. For the dates at the station nearest you, enter your ZIP code.

Frost dates across Nebraska

Each risk level uses a date with a set chance of frost. In spring, it's the chance of a 32°F frost on or after the last-frost date. In fall, it's the chance of the first 32°F frost on or before the first-frost date. At the Typical level (30%), the last frost ranges from April 21 to June 6 across the state, and the first frost from September 4 to October 15.

32°F frost dates: earliest and latest among 184 stations, by risk level
Risk level	Earliest last frost	Latest last frost	Earliest first frost	Latest first frost
Conservative (10%)	April 29VALLEY NWS, NE US	June 18AGATE 3 E, NE US	August 262 stations	October 62 stations
Typical (30%)	April 21VALLEY NWS, NE US	June 6AGATE 3 E, NE US	September 4AGATE 3 E, NE US	October 152 stations
Aggressive (50%)	April 15VALLEY NWS, NE US	May 30AGATE 3 E, NE US	September 112 stations	October 212 stations

Growing season length

The growing season is the stretch between the last spring frost and the first fall frost at 32°F. NOAA gives it as a length with a chance of being at least that long. Each risk level uses the length with that chance of a shorter season, so Conservative shows the shortest lengths.

Growing season at 32°F: shortest and longest among 184 stations
Risk level	Shortest	Longest
Conservative (90% chance of at least this long)	79 daysAGATE 3 E, NE US	167 daysVALLEY NWS, NE US
Typical (70% chance of at least this long)	93 daysAGATE 3 E, NE US	178 daysVALLEY NWS, NE US
Aggressive (50% chance of at least this long)	103 daysAGATE 3 E, NE US	187 daysVALLEY NWS, NE US

Number of stations by growing season length, Typical (70% chance of at least this long)
Growing season	Stations
80–99 days	2
100–119 days	5
120–139 days	37
140–159 days	93
160–179 days	47

Planting windows across Nebraska

For each crop, the earliest start and the latest end of its Typical windows among the stations. A window at any one station is shorter and falls inside this span. Transplant dates are for seedlings. A fall window is left out at stations where it would start on or before the last day of the spring window, so some rows cover fewer stations.

Typical planting windows (30% frost dates): earliest start and latest end among stations
Crop and task	Earliest start	Latest end	Stations
Basil: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Bean: Sow outdoors	April 21	June 6	184 of 184
Beet: Sow outdoors	March 24	June 6	184 of 184
Beet: Sow for fall	June 12	August 26	184 of 184
Broccoli: Transplant outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Broccoli: Transplant for fall	June 2	August 26	184 of 184
Brussels sprouts: Transplant outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Brussels sprouts: Transplant for fall	May 23	September 5	182 of 184
Cabbage: Transplant outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Cabbage: Transplant for fall	May 28	August 26	184 of 184
Cantaloupe: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Cantaloupe: Sow outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Carrot: Sow outdoors	March 24	June 6	184 of 184
Carrot: Sow for fall	June 12	August 16	182 of 184
Cucumber: Transplant outdoors	April 28	June 13	184 of 184
Cucumber: Sow outdoors	April 21	June 6	184 of 184
Eggplant: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Garlic: Plant for fall	September 4	October 29	184 of 184
Lettuce: Transplant outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Lettuce: Sow outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Lettuce: Sow for fall	June 2	September 5	184 of 184
Onion: Transplant or plant sets	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Peas: Sow outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Peas: Sow for fall	June 10	August 26	184 of 184
Pepper: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Potato: Plant seed potatoes	March 24	June 6	184 of 184
Pumpkin: Sow outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Radish: Sow outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Radish: Sow for fall	July 17	September 25	184 of 184
Spinach: Transplant outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Spinach: Sow outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Spinach: Sow for fall	June 22	September 8	184 of 184
Summer squash: Transplant outdoors	April 28	June 13	184 of 184
Summer squash: Sow outdoors	April 21	June 6	184 of 184
Sweet corn: Sow outdoors	April 21	June 6	184 of 184
Sweet potato: Plant slips	April 28	June 20	184 of 184
Tomato: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Turnip: Sow outdoors	March 24	May 23	184 of 184
Turnip: Sow for fall	June 22	September 5	184 of 184
Watermelon: Transplant outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184
Watermelon: Sow outdoors	May 5	June 20	184 of 184

Weather stations in Nebraska

Every station in Nebraska with NOAA frost-date normals, with its Typical 32°F frost dates and growing season.

Typical (30%) 32°F frost dates by station
Station	Elevation	Last frost	First frost	Growing season
AGATE 3 E, NE US	4,670 ft	June 6	September 4	93 days
AINSWORTH, NE US	2,510 ft	May 7	October 2	150 days
ALBION, NE US	1,790 ft	May 5	September 30	149 days
ALLIANCE 1WNW, NE US	3,990 ft	May 17	September 28	136 days
ALLIANCE MUNI AP, NE US	3,920 ft	May 28	September 16	114 days
ANSELMO 2 WSW, NE US	2,730 ft	May 16	September 27	136 days
ARNOLD 4 WNW, NE US	2,880 ft	May 11	September 29	142 days
ARTHUR, NE US	3,660 ft	May 15	September 28	137 days
ASHLAND #2, NE US	1,120 ft	April 29	October 10	167 days
ATKINSON 3SW, NE US	2,130 ft	May 9	September 29	146 days
AUBURN 5 ESE, NE US	930 ft	April 29	October 3	159 days
AURORA, NE US	1,790 ft	April 28	October 9	168 days
BARTLETT 1W, NE US	2,170 ft	May 11	October 1	145 days
BEATRICE 1N, NE US	1,300 ft	April 30	October 9	165 days
BEAVER CITY, NE US	2,150 ft	May 10	September 30	143 days
BENKELMAN 1N, NE US	3,080 ft	May 4	October 7	156 days
BIG SPRINGS, NE US	3,380 ft	May 15	September 28	139 days
BLAIR, NE US	1,090 ft	April 29	October 10	167 days
BRADY, NE US	2,650 ft	May 6	October 4	153 days
BRIDGEPORT 18WSW, NE US	4,150 ft	May 26	September 17	117 days
BRIDGEPORT, NE US	3,670 ft	May 14	September 28	140 days
BROADWATER 10SSE, NE US	4,160 ft	May 12	October 4	147 days
BROADWATER 3WNW, NE US	3,480 ft	May 18	September 24	129 days
BROKEN BOW 2 W, NE US	2,500 ft	May 16	September 26	135 days
BROKEN BOW MUNI AP, NE US	2,530 ft	May 6	October 1	150 days
BURWELL, NE US	2,180 ft	May 8	September 30	147 days
BUSHNELL 15S, NE US	5,170 ft	May 31	September 16	109 days
BUTTE, NE US	1,810 ft	May 9	October 1	145 days
CALLAWAY 8WSW, NE US	2,910 ft	May 7	October 1	148 days
CAMBRIDGE, NE US	2,240 ft	May 8	October 1	149 days
CANADAY STEAM PLT, NE US	2,360 ft	May 1	October 6	161 days
CENTRAL CITY, NE US	1,700 ft	May 2	October 4	157 days
CHADRON 3SW, NE US	3,380 ft	May 21	September 22	125 days
CHADRON MUNI AP, NE US	3,320 ft	May 19	September 25	130 days
CHAMBERS, NE US	2,130 ft	May 5	October 1	151 days
CHAPPELL, NE US	3,710 ft	May 13	September 30	142 days
CLARKSON, NE US	1,550 ft	May 3	October 4	158 days
CLAY CTR, NE US	1,790 ft	April 25	October 14	173 days
COLUMBUS 3 NE, NE US	1,450 ft	April 27	October 9	167 days
COMSTOCK, NE US	2,250 ft	May 8	September 30	146 days
CONCORD, NE US	1,440 ft	May 7	September 28	146 days
CREIGHTON, NE US	1,660 ft	May 4	October 1	151 days
CRESCENT LAKE NWR, NE US	3,820 ft	May 18	September 24	130 days
CRETE 4ESE, NE US	1,460 ft	April 30	October 6	163 days
CROFTON, NE US	1,400 ft	May 6	October 3	152 days
CULBERTSON, NE US	2,580 ft	May 6	October 3	151 days
CURTIS, NE US	2,610 ft	May 5	October 3	152 days
DALTON, NE US	4,280 ft	May 3	October 6	158 days
DAVID CITY, NE US	1,610 ft	May 2	October 5	160 days
EDISON, NE US	2,120 ft	May 5	October 1	149 days
ELGIN, NE US	1,940 ft	May 4	October 2	155 days
ELLSWORTH 15 NNE, NE US	3,970 ft	May 17	September 24	133 days
ELLSWORTH 2W, NE US	3,910 ft	May 19	September 27	132 days
ELSMERE 9 ENE, NE US	2,650 ft	May 12	September 28	142 days
ERICSON 8 WNW, NE US	2,140 ft	May 11	September 28	142 days
EUSTIS 2 NW, NE US	2,730 ft	May 3	October 5	157 days
EWING, NE US	1,850 ft	May 12	September 24	137 days
FAIRBURY 5S, NE US	1,350 ft	April 30	October 9	161 days
FAIRMONT, NE US	1,640 ft	May 1	October 7	163 days
FALLS CITY 4NE, NE US	930 ft	April 24	October 8	169 days
FALLS CITY BRENNER FLD, NE US	980 ft	April 25	October 11	171 days
FRANKLIN #2, NE US	1,860 ft	May 4	October 3	154 days
FREMONT, NE US	1,180 ft	April 29	October 8	165 days
FRIEND 3E, NE US	1,540 ft	May 1	October 6	163 days
FT CALHOUN 4W, NE US	1,310 ft	April 27	October 11	172 days
FT ROBINSON, NE US	3,810 ft	May 23	September 25	129 days
GENEVA, NE US	1,630 ft	April 27	October 12	170 days
GENOA 2 W, NE US	1,590 ft	May 5	September 30	151 days
GORDON 6N, NE US	3,750 ft	May 17	September 27	135 days
GOTHENBURG, NE US	2,600 ft	May 5	October 3	155 days
GRAND ISLAND AP, NE US	1,840 ft	April 29	October 8	167 days
GREELEY, NE US	2,020 ft	May 10	September 27	142 days
GRETNA 4NE, NE US	1,240 ft	April 27	October 14	170 days
HAIGLER, NE US	3,270 ft	May 11	October 1	145 days
HARLAN CO LAKE, NE US	2,010 ft	May 1	October 8	163 days
HARRISBURG 12WNW, NE US	4,550 ft	June 2	September 14	109 days
HARRISON 20 SSE, NE US	4,410 ft	June 3	September 5	95 days
HARRISON 4NW, NE US	5,070 ft	May 23	September 22	125 days
HARRISON 9NE, NE US	4,030 ft	May 17	September 26	134 days
HARRISON, NE US	4,850 ft	May 27	September 14	113 days
HARTINGTON, NE US	1,410 ft	May 5	October 1	151 days
HASTINGS 4N, NE US	1,940 ft	May 1	October 8	163 days
HASTINGS MUNI AP, NE US	1,940 ft	April 28	October 11	168 days
HAY SPRINGS 12 S, NE US	3,810 ft	May 20	September 18	123 days
HAY SPRINGS, NE US	3,850 ft	May 19	September 24	130 days
HAYES CENTER 1NW, NE US	3,040 ft	May 8	October 4	152 days
HEBRON, NE US	1,480 ft	April 30	October 8	164 days
HEMINGFORD, NE US	4,270 ft	May 15	September 30	141 days
HERSHEY 5 SSE, NE US	2,950 ft	May 9	October 3	148 days
HOLDREGE, NE US	2,320 ft	May 7	October 5	154 days
HOWELLS, NE US	1,520 ft	May 1	October 5	159 days
IMPERIAL MUNI AP, NE US	3,270 ft	May 6	October 4	154 days
IMPERIAL, NE US	3,290 ft	May 11	October 1	143 days
KEARNEY 4 NE, NE US	2,130 ft	May 4	October 3	155 days
KILGORE 1NE, NE US	2,900 ft	May 15	September 23	133 days
KIMBALL 2NE, NE US	4,710 ft	May 22	September 21	124 days
KINGSLEY DAM, NE US	3,320 ft	April 29	October 12	167 days
LINCOLN 11 SW, NE US	1,370 ft	April 28	October 8	166 days
LINCOLN 8 ENE, NE US	1,190 ft	May 1	October 3	156 days
LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US	1,190 ft	April 30	October 7	163 days
LODGEPOLE 8N, NE US	3,890 ft	May 20	September 24	127 days
LODGEPOLE NO 2, NE US	3,880 ft	May 13	September 29	139 days
LODGEPOLE, NE US	3,830 ft	May 13	September 28	138 days
LOUP CITY, NE US	2,070 ft	May 6	October 2	150 days
LYNCH, NE US	1,410 ft	May 13	September 27	139 days
MADISON, NE US	1,580 ft	May 5	October 1	152 days
MADRID, NE US	3,200 ft	May 8	October 3	149 days
MASON CITY, NE US	2,290 ft	May 9	September 30	146 days
MC COOK, NE US	2,600 ft	May 7	October 4	151 days
MCCOOK MUNI AP, NE US	2,530 ft	May 6	October 4	153 days
MEAD 6S, NE US	1,150 ft	April 30	October 6	162 days
MEDICINE CREEK DAM, NE US	2,410 ft	May 9	October 1	147 days
MERRIMAN, NE US	3,230 ft	May 18	September 25	130 days
MINATARE DAM (USBR), NE US	4,140 ft	May 10	October 5	149 days
MINDEN, NE US	2,160 ft	May 1	October 6	160 days
MITCHELL 5E, NE US	4,080 ft	May 13	September 26	140 days
MULLEN 21 NW, NE US	3,460 ft	May 16	September 26	135 days
MULLEN, NE US	3,210 ft	May 12	October 1	143 days
N LOUP, NE US	1,960 ft	May 11	September 29	143 days
N PLATTE EXP FARM, NE US	3,020 ft	May 8	October 4	151 days
NEBRASKA CITY 2NW, NE US	1,060 ft	April 24	October 14	174 days
NEWPORT, NE US	2,230 ft	May 11	September 27	140 days
NIOBRARA, NE US	1,230 ft	May 1	October 6	161 days
NORFOLK 4W, NE US	1,540 ft	May 7	September 29	149 days
NORFOLK KARL STEFAN AP, NE US	1,550 ft	May 6	September 30	150 days
NORTH PLATTE RGNL AP, NE US	2,780 ft	May 16	September 25	134 days
O'NEILL, NE US	1,990 ft	May 7	September 29	148 days
OAKDALE, NE US	1,750 ft	May 9	September 30	146 days
OCONTO, NE US	2,580 ft	May 15	September 26	137 days
OGALLALA, NE US	3,230 ft	May 5	October 7	157 days
OMAHA #1, NE US	1,280 ft	April 25	October 12	173 days
OMAHA EPPLEY AIRFIELD, NE US	980 ft	April 23	October 15	176 days
ORD EVELYN SHARP FLD, NE US	2,070 ft	May 10	September 28	142 days
OSCEOLA, NE US	1,660 ft	April 30	October 7	163 days
OSHKOSH, NE US	3,390 ft	May 14	September 28	137 days
OSMOND, NE US	1,650 ft	May 5	October 1	153 days
OXFORD 6NNW, NE US	2,240 ft	May 5	October 3	153 days
PAWNEE CITY, NE US	1,190 ft	April 29	October 8	164 days
PLAINSVIEW RCH, NE US	4,680 ft	May 18	September 27	134 days
PURDUM, NE US	2,690 ft	May 15	September 27	134 days
RAGAN, NE US	2,240 ft	April 30	October 12	166 days
RAVENNA, NE US	2,050 ft	May 9	September 29	143 days
RAYMOND 2E, NE US	1,280 ft	April 27	October 10	167 days
RED CLOUD, NE US	1,730 ft	May 6	October 1	148 days
RED WILLOW DAM, NE US	2,560 ft	May 9	September 27	142 days
RUSHVILLE, NE US	3,790 ft	May 18	September 24	130 days
SAINT PAUL, NE US	1,810 ft	April 29	October 6	164 days
SCOTTSBLUFF 1E, NE US	3,910 ft	May 13	September 27	139 days
SCOTTSBLUFF HEILIG AP, NE US	3,940 ft	May 11	September 28	142 days
SEWARD, NE US	1,440 ft	May 1	October 6	162 days
SIDNEY 6 NNW, NE US	4,320 ft	May 13	September 29	141 days
SIDNEY MUNI AP, NE US	4,310 ft	May 20	September 25	128 days
SPRINGFIELD 7E, NE US	1,060 ft	April 22	October 14	175 days
SPRINGVIEW 2NW, NE US	2,390 ft	May 16	September 26	136 days
STANTON 7NE, NE US	1,580 ft	May 5	October 1	153 days
STANTON, NE US	1,540 ft	May 2	October 3	157 days
STAPLETON 5W, NE US	3,020 ft	May 14	September 28	139 days
SUPERIOR, NE US	1,510 ft	May 3	October 3	154 days
SURPRISE, NE US	1,540 ft	May 3	October 2	155 days
SWAN LAKE, NE US	2,330 ft	May 10	September 27	143 days
SYRACUSE, NE US	1,100 ft	April 30	October 5	161 days
TABLE ROCK 4N, NE US	1,130 ft	April 30	October 7	163 days
TAYLOR, NE US	2,270 ft	May 7	September 30	146 days
TECUMSEH 1S, NE US	1,110 ft	May 1	October 3	157 days
TEKAMAH MUNI AP, NE US	1,030 ft	April 30	October 2	158 days
TEKAMAH, NE US	1,140 ft	May 2	October 3	157 days
TRENTON DAM 1N, NE US	2,810 ft	May 5	October 8	158 days
VALENTINE #1, NE US	2,590 ft	May 12	September 30	143 days
VALENTINE MILLER FLD, NE US	2,590 ft	May 17	September 25	133 days
VALENTINE NWR, NE US	2,940 ft	May 4	October 4	155 days
VALLEY NWS, NE US	1,150 ft	April 21	October 15	178 days
VERDEL 6SSE, NE US	1,350 ft	May 10	September 27	141 days
VIRGINIA, NE US	1,540 ft	April 29	October 14	170 days
W PT, NE US	1,310 ft	May 2	October 5	157 days
WAHOO, NE US	1,220 ft	May 1	October 8	162 days
WAKEFIELD, NE US	1,410 ft	May 10	September 25	140 days
WALLACE 2W, NE US	3,150 ft	May 9	September 30	145 days
WALTHILL 1E, NE US	1,280 ft	May 6	September 30	148 days
WAYNE, NE US	1,460 ft	May 4	October 4	154 days
WEEPING WATER, NE US	1,100 ft	April 28	October 9	166 days
WESTON 3NW, NE US	1,370 ft	April 29	October 7	166 days
WHITMAN 5 ENE, NE US	3,740 ft	May 9	October 2	147 days
YORK 3N, NE US	1,610 ft	May 3	October 8	159 days
YORK, NE US	1,610 ft	April 29	October 13	169 days

Data sources

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, frost dates, 1991–2020 normals, version 1.0.1: Files: us-climate-normals_1991-2020_v1.0.1_annualseasonal_multivariate_by-station_c20230404.tar.gz, inventory_30yr.txt from NOAA NCEI. Retrieved October 10, 2026.