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Frost Dates in Ohio
First and last frost dates across Ohio, computed from 65 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 24
statewide median · range Apr 10–May 10
First fall frost
Oct 22
statewide median · range Oct 8–Nov 9
Growing season
180 days
median · range 154–209
Stations used
65
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Columbus-Valley Crossing · 6 mi | Apr 23 (cautious: May 8) | Oct 19 | 177 days | May 7 |
| Cleveland | Cleveland · 11 mi | Apr 20 (cautious: May 5) | Nov 3 | 198 days | May 4 |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati Muni Ap Lunken Fld · 5 mi | Apr 16 (cautious: May 3) | Oct 25 | 190 days | Apr 30 |
How frost varies across Ohio
Spring frost timing spans about 30 days across the state. Sandusky in northern Ohio typically sees its last spring frost around April 10, while Dorset in northeastern Ohio doesn't clear frost until about May 10. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Ohio
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 8 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 30-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 65 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 Ohio?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 24, but it ranges from April 10 to May 10 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 Ohio?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around May 8 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 Ohio?
The median growing season across 65 NOAA stations is 180 days, ranging from 154 to 209 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Ohio?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Ohio, last spring frost dates span about 30 days — from around April 10 near Sandusky to May 10 near Dorset. 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.