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Frost Dates in Arkansas
First and last frost dates across Arkansas, computed from 78 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
Mar 26
statewide median · range Mar 10–Apr 15
First fall frost
Nov 6
statewide median · range Oct 20–Nov 18
Growing season
226 days
median · range 188–251
Stations used
78
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | Little Rock Ap Adams Fld · 3 mi | Mar 21 (cautious: Apr 6) | Nov 10 | 234 days | Apr 4 |
| Fayetteville | Fayetteville Exp Stn · 3 mi | Apr 4 (cautious: Apr 22) | Oct 31 | 209 days | Apr 18 |
| Fort Smith | Ft Smith Rgnl Ap · 4 mi | Mar 25 (cautious: Apr 11) | Nov 6 | 224 days | Apr 8 |
How frost varies across Arkansas
Spring frost timing spans about 36 days across the state. Arkansas Post in southeastern Arkansas typically sees its last spring frost around March 10, while Fayetteville Drake Fld in northwestern Arkansas doesn't clear frost until about April 15. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Arkansas
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around April 9 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 36-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 78 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Arkansas?
The statewide median last spring frost is March 26, but it ranges from March 10 to April 15 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Arkansas?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 9 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Arkansas?
The median growing season across 78 NOAA stations is 226 days, ranging from 188 to 251 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Arkansas?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Arkansas, last spring frost dates span about 36 days — from around March 10 near Arkansas Post to April 15 near Fayetteville Drake Fld. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.