Frost dates for Detroit Lakes 1 NNE, MN
At Detroit Lakes 1 NNE, the median last spring frost (32°F) is May 15 and the median first fall frost is Sep 24, for a typical growing season of 130 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 30. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 4a.
- May 15Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 30Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Sep 24First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 130 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 | May 12 | May 26 | Jun 7 |
| 32°F | May 2 | May 15 | May 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | May 5 | May 19 |
| 24°F | Apr 13 | Apr 26 | May 9 |
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 | Aug 28 | Sep 13 | Sep 27 |
| 32°F | Sep 9 | Sep 24 | Oct 6 |
| 28°F | Sep 18 | Oct 3 | Oct 18 |
| 24°F | Sep 29 | Oct 14 | Oct 29 |
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 | 87 days | 109 days | 127 days |
| 32°F | 111 days | 130 days | 150 days |
| 28°F | 131 days | 150 days | 168 days |
| 24°F | 148 days | 169 days | 189 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56501 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 1 km |
| 56511 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 14 km |
| 56521 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 19 km |
| 56554 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 22 km |
| 56587 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 22 km |
| 56552 | 4a | -30 to -25°F | 34 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 USC00212142, at 46.8372, -95.8375, elevation 413 m (1,355 ft).
- Data quality: Representative (10+ years), 20 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 177.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Detroit Lakes 12e (18 km)
- Tamarac Wildlife Re (19 km)
- New York Mills (49 km)
- Ottertail (52 km)
- Rothsay (52 km)
- Mahnomen (54 km)
- Park Rapids Muni Airport (59 km)
- Fergus Falls (64 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.