Last frost dates in South Dakota
166 NOAA weather stations in South Dakota have thirty years of frost records. The median station sees its last 32 °F night around May 8; across the state that ranges from Apr 26 to Jun 1, so pick the station nearest you rather than a state-wide figure.
| Plan sowing from this date | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIOUX FALLS WFO AP | Apr 26 | May 9 | Apr 10 | Oct 13 | 169 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MITCHELL | Apr 27 | May 10 | Apr 12 | Oct 11 | 167 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PICKSTOWN 4SSW | Apr 27 | May 11 | Apr 14 | Oct 13 | 168 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| YANKTON 2 E | Apr 27 | May 10 | Apr 13 | Oct 11 | 164 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WAGNER | Apr 29 | May 12 | Apr 12 | Oct 9 | 164 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ACADEMY 2NE | Apr 30 | May 14 | Apr 16 | Oct 8 | 159 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BRIDGEWATER | Apr 30 | May 11 | Apr 15 | Oct 7 | 161 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MITCHELL MUNI AP | Apr 30 | May 13 | Apr 16 | Oct 5 | 159 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PICKSTOWN | Apr 30 | May 12 | Apr 17 | Oct 13 | 165 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CHAMBERLAIN MUNI AP | May 1 | May 14 | Apr 18 | Oct 7 | 158 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MENNO | May 1 | May 14 | Apr 17 | Oct 4 | 156 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SIOUX FALLS | May 1 | May 14 | Apr 18 | Oct 6 | 157 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SIOUX FALLS 14 NNE | May 1 | May 15 | Apr 16 | Oct 4 | 155 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| TYNDALL | May 1 | May 14 | Apr 18 | Oct 7 | 158 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WAUBAY NATL WILD LIFE | May 1 | May 12 | Apr 17 | Oct 12 | 164 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WINNER | May 1 | May 16 | Apr 17 | Oct 9 | 159 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WINNER WILEY FLD | May 1 | May 15 | Apr 16 | Oct 10 | 162 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CANTON | May 2 | May 15 | Apr 19 | Oct 2 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CENTERVILLE 6 SE | May 2 | May 15 | Apr 19 | Oct 1 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MILBANK 4 NW | May 2 | May 15 | Apr 20 | Oct 4 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MITCHELL 2 N | May 2 | May 15 | Apr 19 | Oct 6 | 156 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ROY LAKE | May 2 | May 15 | Apr 19 | Oct 9 | 160 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WENTWORTH 2.5 WNW | May 2 | May 14 | Apr 18 | Oct 5 | 156 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WESSINGTON SPRINGS | May 2 | May 14 | Apr 20 | Oct 8 | 157 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ARLINGTON 1 W | May 3 | May 15 | Apr 21 | Oct 2 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ARMOUR | May 3 | May 18 | Apr 17 | Oct 6 | 157 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BONESTEEL | May 3 | May 15 | Apr 19 | Oct 10 | 159 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CHAMBERLAIN 5 S | May 3 | May 17 | Apr 19 | Oct 7 | 156 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MILLER | May 3 | May 16 | Apr 19 | Oct 3 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MOBRIDGE 2NNW | May 3 | May 16 | Apr 20 | Oct 8 | 157 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MONTROSE 8N | May 3 | May 15 | Apr 20 | Oct 4 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MURDO | May 3 | May 16 | Apr 19 | Oct 9 | 158 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RAPID CITY WFO | May 3 | May 17 | Apr 20 | Oct 8 | 157 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SISSETON MUNI AP | May 3 | May 16 | Apr 21 | Sep 30 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| VERMILLION 2 SE | May 3 | May 16 | Apr 20 | Oct 3 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WATERTOWN 2 S | May 3 | May 14 | Apr 20 | Oct 4 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WHITE LAKE | May 3 | May 17 | Apr 20 | Oct 5 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SISSETON | May 4 | May 17 | Apr 21 | Oct 3 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| VICTOR 4 N | May 4 | May 17 | Apr 21 | Oct 3 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WEBSTER | May 4 | May 16 | Apr 20 | Oct 6 | 156 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CLARK | May 5 | May 18 | Apr 22 | Oct 5 | 153 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CLARK NO2 | May 5 | May 17 | Apr 22 | Oct 5 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| DE SMET | May 5 | May 20 | Apr 22 | Oct 4 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FLANDREAU | May 5 | May 17 | Apr 23 | Oct 1 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HOWARD | May 5 | May 18 | Apr 24 | Oct 2 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| INTERIOR 3 NE | May 5 | May 20 | Apr 22 | Oct 7 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MADISON 2SE | May 5 | May 18 | Apr 22 | Sep 30 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MILBANK | May 5 | May 18 | Apr 22 | Oct 2 | 150 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MOBRIDGE MUNI AP | May 5 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 4 | 150 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WILMOT | May 5 | May 18 | Apr 24 | Oct 1 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ANDOVER #2 | May 6 | May 21 | Apr 22 | Oct 4 | 150 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ASTORIA 4S | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 3 | 150 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BROOKINGS 2 NE | May 6 | May 19 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CASTLEWOOD #2 | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CEDAR BUTTE | May 6 | May 22 | Apr 24 | Oct 4 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CONDE | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 25 | Sep 29 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| DUPREE 15 SSE | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 24 | Oct 2 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FAITH | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 5 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| GANN VALLEY 4NW | May 6 | May 19 | Apr 23 | Oct 1 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| GREGORY | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 3 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HURON RGNL AP | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 2 | 146 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| KIRLEY 6 N | May 6 | May 21 | Apr 24 | Oct 4 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LAKE SHARPE PRJ | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 25 | Oct 5 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MISSION RIDGE 5NW | May 6 | May 22 | Apr 23 | Oct 7 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| OAHE DAM | May 6 | May 19 | Apr 23 | Oct 5 | 152 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PIERRE 24 S | May 6 | May 20 | Apr 23 | Oct 7 | 154 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PIERRE RGNL AP | May 6 | May 21 | Apr 24 | Oct 3 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WINFRED 2S | May 6 | May 17 | Apr 23 | Oct 3 | 151 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CLEAR LAKE | May 7 | May 21 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 | 146 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| COLUMBIA 8 N | May 7 | May 22 | Apr 26 | Sep 29 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FAITH MUNI AP | May 7 | May 20 | Apr 25 | Oct 3 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| GANN VALLEY 3 NNE | May 7 | May 21 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 | 146 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| GETTYSBURG | May 7 | May 21 | Apr 24 | Oct 2 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| OGLALA 1S | May 7 | May 21 | Apr 24 | Oct 4 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RAUVILLE 2 W | May 7 | May 20 | Apr 24 | Sep 28 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ROSCOE | May 7 | May 20 | Apr 24 | Oct 3 | 148 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SALEM 5NE | May 7 | May 19 | Apr 25 | Sep 29 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| TURTON | May 7 | May 22 | Apr 23 | Oct 3 | 149 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WATERTOWN RGNL AP | May 7 | May 20 | Apr 26 | Sep 30 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ABERDEEN 3 E | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 25 | Sep 29 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ALEXANDRIA | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 27 | Sep 29 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| DUPREE | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 26 | Oct 1 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ELM SPRINGS 3 ESE | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Oct 3 | 146 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FT MEADE | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 26 | Oct 3 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HEREFORD 12 SW | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Oct 3 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| IPSWICH | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 26 | Sep 29 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MILESVILLE 5 NE | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Oct 2 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| NEWELL | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Oct 1 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ONIDA 4 NW | May 8 | May 22 | Apr 25 | Oct 2 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| POLLOCK | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 27 | Sep 30 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| REDFIELD | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SELBY | May 8 | May 21 | Apr 26 | Oct 1 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ABERDEEN | May 9 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Sep 26 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FORESTBURG 4 NNE | May 9 | May 24 | Apr 27 | Sep 28 | 140 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LEOLA | May 9 | May 21 | Apr 28 | Sep 28 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LONGVALLEY | May 9 | May 24 | Apr 26 | Oct 1 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MANDERSON 3 NE | May 9 | May 24 | Apr 27 | Oct 4 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MC INTOSH 6 SE | May 9 | May 24 | Apr 28 | Sep 30 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MISSION | May 9 | May 21 | Apr 28 | Oct 1 | 146 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ABERDEEN 35 WNW | May 10 | May 22 | Apr 28 | Sep 30 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BELLE FOURCHE | May 10 | May 25 | Apr 27 | Sep 30 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BISON | May 10 | May 24 | Apr 30 | Oct 1 | 144 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BUFFALO ASOS | May 10 | May 23 | Apr 30 | Oct 1 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CASTLEWOOD | May 10 | May 23 | Apr 29 | Sep 27 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FAULKTON 1 NW | May 10 | May 25 | Apr 29 | Sep 28 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| FT PIERRE 17 WSW | May 10 | May 25 | Apr 29 | Sep 27 | 138 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LEMMON | May 10 | May 24 | Apr 30 | Sep 30 | 142 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RAPID CITY 4NW | May 10 | May 25 | Apr 27 | Oct 5 | 147 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| STEPHAN 2 NW | May 10 | May 24 | Apr 29 | Sep 29 | 140 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| TIMBER LAKE | May 10 | May 23 | Apr 29 | Sep 30 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WASTA | May 10 | May 25 | Apr 30 | Oct 1 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WOOD | May 10 | May 22 | Apr 27 | Oct 1 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| GLAD VALLEY 2 W | May 11 | May 24 | Apr 30 | Sep 30 | 140 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HARRINGTON | May 11 | May 24 | Apr 29 | Oct 1 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| KYLE 2 E | May 11 | May 27 | Apr 29 | Oct 1 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MELLETTE 4 W | May 11 | May 23 | Apr 29 | Sep 27 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MISSION 14 S | May 11 | May 25 | Apr 30 | Oct 2 | 145 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PHILIP AP | May 11 | May 24 | Apr 29 | Sep 30 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ZEONA 10 SSW | May 11 | May 27 | Apr 30 | Sep 28 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| EUREKA | May 12 | May 25 | May 1 | Sep 27 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HIGHMORE 1 W | May 12 | May 28 | Apr 28 | Oct 1 | 142 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| KENNEBEC | May 12 | May 26 | Apr 29 | Sep 28 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MC LAUGHLIN | May 12 | May 25 | May 2 | Sep 28 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MIDLAND | May 12 | May 26 | Apr 30 | Sep 28 | 138 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PRESHO 7 NW | May 12 | May 28 | Apr 29 | Sep 29 | 140 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RAPID CITY RGNL AP | May 12 | May 26 | May 1 | Oct 1 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SPEARFISH | May 12 | May 25 | Apr 29 | Oct 2 | 143 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BRITTON | May 13 | May 27 | Apr 29 | Sep 26 | 135 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LADNER 9SW | May 13 | May 25 | May 2 | Sep 27 | 135 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MARTIN | May 13 | May 27 | Apr 30 | Oct 2 | 141 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MAURINE 12SW | May 13 | May 27 | May 2 | Sep 28 | 136 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HIGHMORE 23 N | May 14 | May 25 | Apr 30 | Sep 29 | 138 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MARTIN 8 E | May 14 | May 28 | May 3 | Oct 1 | 139 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SUMMIT 1 W | May 14 | May 28 | May 1 | Sep 28 | 136 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BELLE FOURCHE 22 NNW | May 15 | May 28 | May 4 | Sep 24 | 130 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| MT RUSHMORE NMEM | May 15 | May 29 | May 1 | Oct 1 | 138 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| OELRICHS | May 15 | May 28 | May 4 | Sep 30 | 137 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ORAL | May 15 | May 28 | May 5 | Sep 27 | 133 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PLAINVIEW 6 SSW | May 15 | May 29 | May 3 | Sep 27 | 134 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| REDIG 11 NE | May 15 | May 27 | May 3 | Sep 24 | 131 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| WIND CAVE | May 15 | May 30 | May 4 | Sep 29 | 133 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ARDMORE 1 NW | May 16 | May 31 | May 3 | Sep 23 | 128 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| COTTONWOOD 2 E | May 16 | May 29 | May 4 | Sep 26 | 132 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HOT SPRINGS | May 16 | May 31 | May 4 | Sep 27 | 133 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LUDLOW 3 SSE | May 16 | May 29 | May 4 | Sep 26 | 131 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PINE RIDGE AP | May 16 | May 31 | May 3 | Sep 27 | 132 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RED OWL | May 16 | May 27 | May 4 | Sep 26 | 131 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| SHADEHILL RSVR | May 16 | May 29 | May 6 | Sep 24 | 131 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BEAR RIDGE | May 17 | May 30 | May 5 | Sep 27 | 132 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CAMP CROOK | May 17 | May 30 | May 4 | Sep 24 | 128 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HARROLD 12 SSW | May 17 | May 31 | May 4 | Sep 24 | 129 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PORCUPINE 11 N | May 17 | Jun 1 | May 3 | Sep 25 | 130 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CUSTER | May 18 | Jun 1 | May 5 | Sep 28 | 129 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| EDGEMONT 23 NNW | May 18 | Jun 1 | May 4 | Sep 27 | 130 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LEAD | May 18 | Jun 1 | May 5 | Sep 29 | 133 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| RALPH 1 N | May 18 | May 31 | May 7 | Sep 23 | 126 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| ANTELOPE RS | May 19 | Jun 2 | May 7 | Sep 19 | 121 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HOOVER | May 19 | May 31 | May 7 | Sep 21 | 122 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| BUFFALO 13 ESE | May 20 | Jun 2 | May 8 | Sep 19 | 120 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| JOHNSON SIDING | May 20 | Jun 3 | May 9 | Sep 25 | 126 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| CUSTER CO AP | May 23 | Jun 6 | May 10 | Sep 24 | 122 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| EDGEMONT | May 23 | Jun 7 | May 11 | Sep 20 | 117 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| DEADWOOD | May 24 | Jun 6 | May 7 | Sep 25 | 125 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| PACTOLA DAM | May 28 | Jun 11 | May 16 | Sep 18 | 112 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| LODGEPOLE 5SW | May 30 | Jun 13 | May 18 | Sep 11 | 103 | Plan sowing from this date → |
| HILL CITY | Jun 1 | Jun 19 | May 18 | Sep 10 | 102 | Plan sowing from this date → |
How to read the three dates
Average is the date by which, in half of the years between 1991 and 2020, the last 32 °F night had already happened. Safe is later: only one year in ten saw a frost after it, which is the date to transplant tomatoes and peppers, both killed by a single frost. Early is the risky end, with a frost after it in nine years out of ten.
Every figure is for the weather station, not for your garden. A valley bottom, a north slope or a spot near a lake can run a week or two either way. Cities are warmer than the countryside around them.
Where the numbers come from
The dates are NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals for 1991 to 2020, computed by the National Centers for Environmental Information for every station with thirty years of daily minimum temperatures. ZIP codes are matched to the nearest such station within 150 km using U.S. Census Bureau ZIP Code Tabulation Area centroids. Stations that never see a frost, such as much of south Florida, report no date and are left out.