Frost dates 2026–2027

Frost dates for Salem Lakes, Wisconsin

Median (50% chance) dates of the last and first 32°F frost, from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Paddock Lake, 3.7 mi away (close match).

Last spring frostApr 30
First fall frostOct 15
167 frost-free days
Last spring frostApr 301 year in 10 after May 16
First fall frostOct 151 year in 10 by Sep 30
Growing season167 daysbetween median 32°F dates
Hardiness zoneZone 5b−15 to −10°F average extreme low

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Will it freeze in Salem Lakes in the next 7 nights?

The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Fri, Nov 6: 29°F (Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 PM CST to Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 AM CST).

Tonight: forecast low 36°F. Frost possible.

NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST.

5 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.

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 Salem Lakes

The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 26, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Paddock Lake. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.

TemperatureLast 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 29 · May 12 · May 27 Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 144 days
32°F freeze Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 16 Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 167 days
28°F hard freeze Apr 6 · Apr 19 · May 3 Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 190 days
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00476380. How to read these probabilities.

Average high temperature by month

1991–2020 normals at Paddock Lake

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 Salem Lakes, WI come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Paddock Lake (station USC00476380, elevation 775 ft), 3.7 mi from Salem Lakes. 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 Salem Lakes

CityDistanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
Antioch, IL 5.6 mi Apr 23 Oct 21
Twin Lakes, WI 6.2 mi Apr 30 Oct 13
Bristol, WI 6.2 mi Apr 30 Oct 15
Fox Lake, IL 8.1 mi Apr 23 Oct 21
Spring Grove, IL 8.1 mi Apr 30 Oct 13
Lake Villa, IL 8.7 mi Apr 24 Oct 23
Lindenhurst, IL 9.9 mi Apr 24 Oct 23
Round Lake Beach, IL 11 mi Apr 24 Oct 23
Union Grove, WI 11 mi May 5 Oct 8
Bloomfield, WI 12 mi Apr 30 Oct 13

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Salem Lakes?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Salem Lakes is around April 30. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 16, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 15.

When is the first frost in Salem Lakes?

The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 15. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 30 and a 90% chance by October 27.

Can it frost in Salem Lakes 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 12.

What growing zone is Salem Lakes?

Salem Lakes is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature −15 to −10°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 53179. See growing zones in Wisconsin.

More: all Wisconsin frost dates · Wisconsin growing zones · frost vs. freeze