Frost dates for Willmar 5n, MN
At Willmar 5n, the median last spring frost (32°F) is May 1 and the median first fall frost is Oct 6, for a typical growing season of 156 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 12. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 4b.
- May 1Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 12Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 6First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 156 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 29 | May 9 | May 22 |
| 32°F | Apr 19 | May 1 | May 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 9 | Apr 22 | May 4 |
| 24°F | Apr 1 | Apr 13 | Apr 27 |
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 16 | Sep 29 | Oct 9 |
| 32°F | Sep 23 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 |
| 28°F | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Oct 29 |
| 24°F | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
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 | 139 days | 156 days |
| 32°F | 140 days | 156 days | 175 days |
| 28°F | 157 days | 176 days | 195 days |
| 24°F | 176 days | 195 days | 215 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56279 | 4b | -25 to -20°F | 9 km |
| 56252 | 4b | -25 to -20°F | 20 km |
| 56289 | 4b | -25 to -20°F | 21 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 USC00219001, at 45.1900, -95.0586, elevation 363 m (1,190 ft).
- Data quality: Estimated from nearby stations (2+ years), 8 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 172.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Willmar Wastewater Plant (9 km)
- New London (16 km)
- Litchfield (42 km)
- Benson (46 km)
- Olivia 3e (49 km)
- Granite Falls (57 km)
- Melrose (58 km)
- Glenwood 2wnw (60 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.