Frost dates for Eaton Rapids, MI
At Eaton Rapids, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 14, for a typical growing season of 165 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 16. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 6a.
- Apr 30Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 16Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 14First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 165 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 26 | May 10 | May 25 |
| 32°F | Apr 16 | Apr 30 | May 16 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | May 6 |
| 24°F | Mar 24 | 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 21 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 |
| 32°F | Oct 1 | Oct 14 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | Oct 12 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
| 24°F | Oct 25 | Nov 8 | Nov 24 |
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 | 125 days | 145 days | 163 days |
| 32°F | 146 days | 165 days | 186 days |
| 28°F | 169 days | 191 days | 210 days |
| 24°F | 194 days | 215 days | 237 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48827 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 1 km |
| 49264 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 11 km |
| 48821 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 14 km |
| 49284 | 6a | -10 to -5°F | 15 km |
| 49251 | 6a | -10 to -5°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 USC00202437, at 42.5175, -84.6531, elevation 265 m (870 ft).
- Data quality: Estimated from nearby stations (2+ years), 7 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 140.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Charlotte (15 km)
- East Lansing 4 S (22 km)
- Lansing Capital City Airport (30 km)
- Jackson Reynolds Field (32 km)
- Battle Creek 5nw (53 km)
- Hastings (54 km)
- Battle Creek Kellogg Airport (54 km)
- Hell (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.