Frost dates for Gull Lake Biological Station, MI
At Gull Lake Biological Station, 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 173 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 18. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 6a.
- Apr 29Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 18Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 20First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 173 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 25 | May 11 | May 31 |
| 32°F | Apr 12 | Apr 29 | May 18 |
| 28°F | Apr 1 | Apr 15 | May 4 |
| 24°F | Mar 21 | Apr 4 | Apr 20 |
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 22 | Oct 6 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | Oct 4 | Oct 20 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | Oct 20 | Nov 3 | Nov 17 |
| 24°F | Nov 3 | Nov 16 | Dec 2 |
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 | 122 days | 147 days | 168 days |
| 32°F | 148 days | 173 days | 195 days |
| 28°F | 179 days | 200 days | 220 days |
| 24°F | 204 days | 224 days | 248 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49060 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 4 km |
| 49012 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 6 km |
| 49083 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 7 km |
| 49053 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 12 km |
| 49046 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 14 km |
| 49080 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 18 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 USC00203504, at 42.3942, -85.3850, elevation 282 m (925 ft).
- Data quality: Representative (10+ years), 18 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 128.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Battle Creek 5nw (10 km)
- Battle Creek Kellogg Airport (15 km)
- Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Airport (22 km)
- Hastings (29 km)
- Allegan 5ne (39 km)
- Bloomingdale (47 km)
- Charlotte (49 km)
- Three Rivers (56 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.