Frost Dates for 48356 — Highland, Michigan

Half of springs at White Lake 4E, MI see their last 32°F night by May 10; only one in ten is past it by April 25, and one in ten still has one after May 26. Planting tender crops after May 17 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 21 20%, and after May 26 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 38% of the 172 Michigan stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 6 in half of years, as early as September 24 one year in ten, and holds off past October 21 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around October 19; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 15, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 148 days in a typical year, shorter than at 66% of the 172 Michigan stations; it reaches 168 days one year in ten and falls short of 128 one year in ten. On average 151 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 14 days longer, to about May 24, and return around September 26. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 22 and March 28.

July is the warmest month at White Lake 4E, MI, averaging 80°F by day and 57°F at night; January is the coldest at 29°F and 13°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 75% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,201 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 64% of the 172 Michigan stations. 32% of them (713) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 559. Precipitation totals 35.5 inches a year, most in May (3.9") and least in February (1.8"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Milford Gm Proving Ground, MI, 8 miles southwest of Highland, has a last frost 4 days earlier (May 6), a first frost 6 days later (October 12), a season 9 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Highland 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, 6.4 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 25 days after the last snow.

ZIP 48356 is 6 miles from White Lake 4E, MI, which stands at 1,053 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 48348 (Clarkston). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 48356 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.