Frost dates for Grand Rapids, MI
At Grand Rapids, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 29 and the median first fall frost is Oct 20, for a typical growing season of 174 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 15. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 6a.
- Apr 29Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 15Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 20First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 174 daysGrowing season (median)between 32°F freezes
Last spring frost dates
The chance that the temperature drops to the threshold after each date.
| Temperature | 90% chance later | 50% chance later | 10% chance later |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 24 | May 7 | May 23 |
| 32°F | Apr 14 | Apr 29 | May 15 |
| 28°F | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | May 2 |
| 24°F | Mar 20 | Apr 4 | Apr 19 |
First fall frost dates
The chance that the temperature has dropped to the threshold by each date.
| Temperature | 10% chance by | 50% chance by | 90% chance by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Sep 26 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | Oct 4 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | Oct 19 | Nov 2 | Nov 17 |
| 24°F | Nov 1 | Nov 15 | Dec 1 |
Growing season length
Days between the last spring and first fall freeze, as the length reached in 9, 5 and 1 out of 10 years.
| Temperature | 9 in 10 years at least | 5 in 10 years at least | 1 in 10 years at least |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | 132 days | 152 days | 171 days |
| 32°F | 151 days | 174 days | 195 days |
| 28°F | 178 days | 200 days | 220 days |
| 24°F | 205 days | 224 days | 247 days |
Chance of a freeze in any year
| Temperature | Chance per year |
|---|---|
| 36°F | 100% |
| 32°F | 100% |
| 28°F | 100% |
| 24°F | 100% |
ZIP codes whose closest station is this one
| ZIP | Hardiness zone | Avg. extreme low | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49546 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 4 km |
| 49301 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 10 km |
| 49331 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 17 km |
Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones shown here are the values published in the USDA-ARS / Oregon State University PRISM Group 2023 ZIP code tables, shown unaltered. For the official interactive map, visit planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
About this station
- NOAA station ID USW00094860, at 42.8939, -85.5447, elevation 237 m (778 ft).
- Data quality: Standard (24+ years of data), 29 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 133.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Nwsfo Grand Rapids (0 km)
- E Grand Rapids (7 km)
- Hastings (35 km)
- Ionia 2ssw (39 km)
- Kent City 2 SW (39 km)
- Allegan 5ne (40 km)
- Greenville 2 NNE (42 km)
- Holland Tulip City Airport (48 km)
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal normals by station (version 1.0.1), file dated June 27, 2023; documentation.
- USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP code tables (CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico), files dated November 17, 2023. Data © PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 1, 2026. Official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer ZIP Code Tabulation Areas file, dated August 30, 2024 (ZIP centroids used to find the nearest station).
Freeze dates are 30-year probabilities, not forecasts. Check your local forecast before planting tender plants.