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Frost Dates in Kansas
First and last frost dates across Kansas, computed from 117 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
Apr 19
statewide median · range Apr 4–May 9
First fall frost
Oct 20
statewide median · range Oct 4–Nov 1
Growing season
183 days
median · range 145–209
Stations used
117
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | Wichita · 6 mi | Apr 11 (cautious: Apr 26) | Oct 29 | 199 days | Apr 25 |
| Topeka | Topeka Asos · 3 mi | Apr 12 (cautious: Apr 27) | Oct 23 | 191 days | Apr 26 |
| Kansas City | Kansas City Dwtn Ap (MO) · 3 mi | Apr 4 (cautious: Apr 20) | Nov 2 | 211 days | Apr 18 |
How frost varies across Kansas
Spring frost timing spans about 35 days across the state. Girard in southeastern Kansas typically sees its last spring frost around April 4, while Brewster in northwestern Kansas doesn't clear frost until about May 9. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Kansas
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 May 3 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 35-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 117 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 Kansas?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 19, but it ranges from April 4 to May 9 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 Kansas?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around May 3 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 Kansas?
The median growing season across 117 NOAA stations is 183 days, ranging from 145 to 209 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Kansas?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Kansas, last spring frost dates span about 35 days — from around April 4 near Girard to May 9 near Brewster. 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.