Frost dates for La Crosse WFO, WI
At La Crosse WFO, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 27 and the median first fall frost is Oct 13, for a typical growing season of 167 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 12. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 5a.
- Apr 27Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 12Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 13First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 167 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 22 |
| 32°F | Apr 12 | Apr 27 | May 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 3 | Apr 16 | May 1 |
| 24°F | Mar 23 | Apr 6 | 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 20 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 |
| 32°F | Sep 28 | Oct 13 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | Oct 10 | Oct 25 | Nov 9 |
| 24°F | Oct 22 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
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 | 128 days | 147 days | 166 days |
| 32°F | 146 days | 167 days | 187 days |
| 28°F | 168 days | 189 days | 210 days |
| 24°F | 190 days | 210 days | 232 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54601 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 4 km |
| 54669 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 13 km |
| 54623 | 5a | -20 to -15°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 USC00474373, at 43.8225, -91.1914, elevation 398 m (1,307 ft).
- Data quality: Representative (10+ years), 21 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 148.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- La Crosse Muni Airport (8 km)
- Trempealeau Dam 6 (28 km)
- Genoa Dam 8 (28 km)
- Cashton 3nnw (32 km)
- Sparta (33 km)
- Cashton (34 km)
- Viroqua (39 km)
- Dodge (45 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.