Frost Dates for 48327 — Waterford, Michigan

Half of springs at Pontiac Oakland Co International Airport, MI see their last 32°F night by April 29; only one in ten is past it by April 16, and one in ten still has one after May 14. Planting tender crops after May 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 9 20%, and after May 14 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 55% of the 172 Michigan stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 20 in half of years, as early as October 5 one year in ten, and holds off past November 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 1, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 172 days in a typical year, longer than at 80% of the 172 Michigan stations; it reaches 192 days one year in ten and falls short of 153 one year in ten. On average 136 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 10 days longer, to about May 9, and return around October 7. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 4 and March 17.

July is the warmest month at Pontiac Oakland Co International Airport, MI, averaging 82°F by day and 62°F at night; January is the coldest at 30°F and 17°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 43% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,754 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 80% of the 172 Michigan stations. 33% of them (902) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 687. Precipitation totals 29.3 inches a year, most in May (3.7") and least in February (1.1"); May to September bring 54% of it.

The nearest other station, White Lake 4E, MI, 5 miles northwest of Waterford, has a last frost 11 days later (May 10), a first frost 14 days earlier (October 6), a season 24 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Waterford usually arrives around November 17, and the last of the season around April 15. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at White Lake 4E, MI, 5.2 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 14 days after the last snow.

ZIP 48327 is 2 miles from Pontiac Oakland Co International Airport, MI, which stands at 976 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 6 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 48328 (Waterford). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 48327 in zone 6a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -10 to -5°F (-23.3 to -20.6°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.