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Frost Dates in Mississippi
First and last frost dates across Mississippi, computed from 60 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 17
statewide median · range Feb 12–Apr 8
First fall frost
Nov 12
statewide median · range Oct 26–Dec 14
Growing season
239 days
median · range 202–301
Stations used
60
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Jackson Intl Ap · 6 mi | Mar 14 (cautious: Apr 2) | Nov 14 | 245 days | Mar 28 |
| Gulfport | Biloxi · 6 mi | Feb 12 (cautious: Mar 11) | Dec 14 | 301 days | Feb 26 |
| Hattiesburg | Hattiesburg 5Sw · 6 mi | Mar 7 (cautious: Mar 26) | Nov 23 | 261 days | Mar 21 |
How frost varies across Mississippi
Spring frost timing spans about 55 days across the state. Biloxi in southeastern Mississippi typically sees its last spring frost around February 12, while Hickory Flat in northeastern Mississippi doesn't clear frost until about April 8. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Mississippi
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 March 31 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 55-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 60 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 Mississippi?
The statewide median last spring frost is March 17, but it ranges from February 12 to April 8 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 Mississippi?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around March 31 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 Mississippi?
The median growing season across 60 NOAA stations is 239 days, ranging from 202 to 301 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Mississippi?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Mississippi, last spring frost dates span about 55 days — from around February 12 near Biloxi to April 8 near Hickory Flat. 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.