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Will it freeze in La Crosse in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Fri, Nov 6: 27°F (Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 PM CST to Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 AM CST).
Tonight: forecast low 33°F. Frost possible.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST.
4 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 33°F Frost possible · Mostly Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 27°F Hard freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 34°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 39°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 37°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Wed, Nov 11 37°F Above 36°F · 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 La Crosse
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 25, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at La Crosse WFO. 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 | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 147 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 167 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 9 | 189 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at La Crosse WFO
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 La Crosse, WI come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: La Crosse WFO (station USC00474373, elevation 1,307 ft), 1.7 mi from La Crosse. 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 La Crosse
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crescent, MN | 3.7 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| Onalaska, WI | 4.3 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| West Salem, WI | 8.7 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Holmen, WI | 11 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| Sparta, WI | 22 mi | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Winona, MN | 27 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Tomah, WI | 38 mi | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Decorah, IA | 46 mi | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Richland Center, WI | 54 mi | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Prairie du Chien, WI | 54 mi | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in La Crosse?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in La Crosse is around April 27. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 12, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 12.
When is the first frost in La Crosse?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 13. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 28 and a 90% chance by October 29.
Can it frost in La Crosse 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 7.
What growing zone is La Crosse?
La Crosse is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average annual extreme minimum temperature −20 to −15°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 54603. See growing zones in Wisconsin.
More: all Wisconsin frost dates · Wisconsin growing zones · UV index today in La Crosse · frost vs. freeze