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Will it freeze in Rockford in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Sat, Nov 7: 32°F (Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 PM EST to Sun, Nov 8, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 37°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
5 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 37°F Above 36°F · Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 33°F Frost possible · Mostly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 32°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Sun, Nov 8 34°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 42°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 34°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.
Frost and freeze probabilities
Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.
These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.
Average first hard freeze in Rockford
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 8, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Kent City 2 SW. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.
| Temperature | Last spring date 90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze | First fall date 10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F frost possible | May 9 · May 29 · Jun 13 | Aug 30 · Sep 18 · Oct 2 | 112 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 29 · May 14 · May 31 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 135 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 158 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Kent City 2 SW
Average low temperature by month
Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk
Where these frost dates come from
The frost dates for Rockford, MI come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Kent City 2 SW (station USC00204320, elevation 840 ft), 12 mi from Rockford. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.
Frost dates near Rockford
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI | 13 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| East Grand Rapids, MI | 14 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Walker, MI | 14 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Greenville, MI | 16 mi | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| Belding, MI | 16 mi | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| Kentwood, MI | 17 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Wyoming, MI | 19 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Grandville, MI | 19 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Hudsonville, MI | 24 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Ionia, MI | 27 mi | May 3 | Oct 12 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rockford?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Rockford is around May 14. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 31, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 29.
When is the first frost in Rockford?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around September 29. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 14 and a 90% chance by October 12.
Can it frost in Rockford after the last frost date?
Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after May 29.
What growing zone is Rockford?
Rockford is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature −10 to −5°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 49341. See growing zones in Michigan.
More: all Michigan frost dates · Michigan growing zones · frost vs. freeze