Last frost date in Madison, Wisconsin
May 1
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by April 18; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after May 17.
October 9
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by September 26.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Uw Arboretum - Madison (USC00470273), 3.2 miles from Madison, elevation 870 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for Fitchburg and Oregon, so their frost dates are the same as Madison's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Apr 18 | May 1 | May 17 |
| First frost in fall | Sept 26 | Oct 9 | Oct 24 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 161
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Every year | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Frost (32°F) | Every year | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Every year | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 157
What to plant now in Madison
- Spring planting calendar for an average last frost around April 30 Madison: May 1
- Fall planting calendar for an average first frost around October 10 Madison: October 9
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
Nearby in Wisconsin
- Middleton 4 mi · last frost Apr 28
- DeForest 11 mi · last frost May 4
- Sun Prairie 12 mi · last frost May 1
- Stoughton 15 mi · last frost Apr 30
- Baraboo 31 mi · last frost May 5
Updated