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Frost Dates in Rhode Island
First and last frost dates across Rhode Island, computed from 4 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 11–May 3
First fall frost
Oct 19
statewide median · range Oct 8–Oct 30
Growing season
178 days
median · range 159–199
Stations used
4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Providence · 7 mi | Apr 11 (cautious: Apr 23) | Oct 30 | 199 days | Apr 25 |
| Warwick | Providence · 1 mi | Apr 11 (cautious: Apr 23) | Oct 30 | 199 days | Apr 25 |
How frost varies across Rhode Island
Spring frost timing spans about 22 days across the state. Providence in Rhode Island typically sees its last spring frost around April 11, while Kingston in Rhode Island doesn't clear frost until about May 3. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Rhode Island
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 22-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 4 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 Rhode Island?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 24, but it ranges from April 11 to May 3 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 Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
The median growing season across 4 NOAA stations is 178 days, ranging from 159 to 199 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Rhode Island?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Rhode Island, last spring frost dates span about 22 days — from around April 11 near Providence to May 3 near Kingston. 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.