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Frost Dates in Nebraska
First and last frost dates across Nebraska, computed from 106 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
May 3
statewide median · range Apr 15–May 30
First fall frost
Oct 6
statewide median · range Sep 11–Oct 21
Growing season
157 days
median · range 103–187
Stations used
106
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Omaha Eppley Airfield · 4 mi | Apr 18 (cautious: Apr 30) | Oct 21 | 185 days | May 2 |
| Lincoln | Lincoln Ap · 4 mi | Apr 24 (cautious: May 7) | Oct 13 | 171 days | May 8 |
| Grand Island | Grand Is Cntrl Ne Rgnl Ap · 3 mi | Apr 23 (cautious: May 6) | Oct 15 | 174 days | May 7 |
How frost varies across Nebraska
Spring frost timing spans about 45 days across the state. Valley Nws in eastern Nebraska typically sees its last spring frost around April 15, while Agate in northwestern Nebraska doesn't clear frost until about May 30. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Nebraska
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 17 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 45-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 106 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 Nebraska?
The statewide median last spring frost is May 3, but it ranges from April 15 to May 30 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 Nebraska?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around May 17 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 Nebraska?
The median growing season across 106 NOAA stations is 157 days, ranging from 103 to 187 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Nebraska?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Nebraska, last spring frost dates span about 45 days — from around April 15 near Valley Nws to May 30 near Agate. 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.