Frost Dates for 49346 — Stanwood, Michigan

Half of springs at Big Rapids Wtp, MI see their last 32°F night by May 13; only one in ten is past it by April 28, and one in ten still has one after May 28. Planting tender crops after May 20 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 23 20%, and after May 28 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 2 in half of years, as early as September 18 one year in ten, and holds off past October 16 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around October 13; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 17, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 142 days in a typical year, shorter than at 73% of the 172 Michigan stations; it reaches 162 days one year in ten and falls short of 122 one year in ten. On average 168 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 12 days longer, to about May 25, and return around September 22. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 21 and March 31.

July is the warmest month at Big Rapids Wtp, MI, averaging 81°F by day and 57°F at night; January is the coldest at 28°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 82% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,201 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 65% of the 172 Michigan stations. 32% of them (711) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 595. Precipitation totals 38.1 inches a year, most in August (4.2") and least in February (2.0"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Greenville 2 NNE, MI, 27 miles south of Stanwood, has a last frost 5 days later (May 18), a first frost 4 days earlier (September 28), a season 9 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Stanwood usually arrives around November 14, and the last of the season around April 3. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Big Rapids Wtp, MI, 9.8 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 40 days after the last snow.

ZIP 49346 is 10 miles from Big Rapids Wtp, MI, which stands at 898 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 49307 (Big Rapids). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 49346 in zone 5b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -15 to -10°F (-26.1 to -23.3°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.