Frost dates 2026–2027

Frost dates for Whitewater, Wisconsin

Median (50% chance) dates of the last and first 32°F frost, from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Whitewater, 1.1 mi away (close match).

Last spring frostMay 2
First fall frostOct 9
157 frost-free days
Last spring frostMay 21 year in 10 after May 20
First fall frostOct 91 year in 10 by Sep 25
Growing season157 daysbetween median 32°F dates
Hardiness zoneZone 5b−15 to −10°F average extreme low

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Will it freeze in Whitewater 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 35°F. Frost possible.

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

6 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 Whitewater

The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 22, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Whitewater. 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 30 · May 16 · Jun 1 Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 134 days
32°F freeze Apr 18 · May 2 · May 20 Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 157 days
28°F hard freeze Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 6 Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 182 days
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00479190. How to read these probabilities.

Average high temperature by month

1991–2020 normals at Whitewater

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 Whitewater, WI come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Whitewater (station USC00479190, elevation 875 ft), 1.1 mi from Whitewater. 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 Whitewater

CityDistanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
Fort Atkinson, WI 8.1 mi Apr 28 Oct 13
Milton, WI 11 mi Apr 28 Oct 13
Jefferson, WI 12 mi Apr 25 Oct 18
Elkhorn, WI 16 mi Apr 28 Oct 14
Delavan, WI 16 mi Apr 28 Oct 14
Edgerton, WI 17 mi Apr 30 Oct 11
Janesville, WI 17 mi Apr 26 Oct 15
Lake Mills, WI 19 mi Apr 29 Oct 14
Summit, WI 19 mi Apr 30 Oct 12
Mukwonago, WI 21 mi May 5 Oct 10

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Whitewater?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Whitewater is around May 2. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 20, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 18.

When is the first frost in Whitewater?

The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 9. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 25 and a 90% chance by October 24.

Can it frost in Whitewater 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 16.

What growing zone is Whitewater?

Whitewater 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 53190. See growing zones in Wisconsin.

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