Frost Dates for 54495 — Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Half of springs at Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field, WI see their last 32°F night by May 8; only one in ten is past it by April 26, and one in ten still has one after May 22. Planting tender crops after May 15 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 18 20%, and after May 22 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 58% of the 182 Wisconsin stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 1 in half of years, as early as September 19 one year in ten, and holds off past October 13 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around October 12; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 13, 9 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 145 days in a typical year, shorter than at 75% of the 182 Wisconsin stations; it reaches 164 days one year in ten and falls short of 125 one year in ten. On average 163 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 11 days longer, to about May 19, and return around September 23. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 16 and March 29.

July is the warmest month at Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field, WI, averaging 82°F by day and 59°F at night; January is the coldest at 25°F and 8°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 79% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,411 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 51% of the 182 Wisconsin stations. 33% of them (792) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 639. Precipitation totals 31.4 inches a year, most in June (4.6") and least in February (0.9"); May to September bring 61% of it.

The nearest other station, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 5 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids, has a last frost 1 day later (May 9), a first frost 1 day earlier (September 30), a season 3 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Wisconsin Rapids usually arrives around November 18, and the last of the season around April 5. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Wis Rapids Grand Av B, WI, 4.1 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 33 days after the last snow.

ZIP 54495 is 4 miles from Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field, WI, which stands at 1,019 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station; its figures are presented in full for 54457 (Nekoosa). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 54495 in zone 4b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -25 to -20°F (-31.7 to -28.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.