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Frost Dates in Missouri
First and last frost dates across Missouri, computed from 97 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 12
statewide median · range Mar 24–Apr 27
First fall frost
Oct 23
statewide median · range Oct 13–Nov 9
Growing season
193 days
median · range 168–230
Stations used
97
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | St Louis Lambert Intl Ap · 12 mi | Apr 2 (cautious: Apr 17) | Nov 4 | 215 days | Apr 16 |
| Kansas City | Kansas City Dwtn Ap · 2 mi | Apr 4 (cautious: Apr 20) | Nov 2 | 211 days | Apr 18 |
| Springfield | Springfield · 6 mi | Apr 9 (cautious: Apr 27) | Oct 27 | 199 days | Apr 23 |
How frost varies across Missouri
Spring frost timing spans about 34 days across the state. Caruthersville in southeastern Missouri typically sees its last spring frost around March 24, while Rosebud in Missouri doesn't clear frost until about April 27. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Missouri
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 26 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 34-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 97 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 Missouri?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 12, but it ranges from March 24 to April 27 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 Missouri?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 26 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 Missouri?
The median growing season across 97 NOAA stations is 193 days, ranging from 168 to 230 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Missouri?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Missouri, last spring frost dates span about 34 days — from around March 24 near Caruthersville to April 27 near Rosebud. 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.