Frost Dates for 55020 — Elko, Minnesota

Half of springs at Farmington 3 NW, MN see their last 32°F night by April 27; only one in ten is past it by April 12, and one in ten still has one after May 10. Planting tender crops after May 2 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 5 20%, and after May 10 10%. The 13 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 61% of the 142 Minnesota stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 10 in half of years, as early as September 27 one year in ten, and holds off past October 25 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around October 22; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 29, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 166 days in a typical year, longer than at 88% of the 142 Minnesota stations; it reaches 186 days one year in ten and falls short of 147 one year in ten. On average 150 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 7, and return around October 2. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 17 and March 21.

July is the warmest month at Farmington 3 NW, MN, averaging 82°F by day and 63°F at night; January is the coldest at 23°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 34% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,692 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 81% of the 142 Minnesota stations. 34% of them (908) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 691. Precipitation totals 32.3 inches a year, most in June (4.9") and least in February (0.8"); May to September bring 64% of it.

The nearest other station, Jordan 1SSW, MN, 15 miles west of Elko, has a last frost 5 days later (May 2), a first frost 5 days earlier (October 5), a season 13 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Elko usually arrives around November 8, and the last of the season around April 5. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Farmington 3 NW, MN, 11.6 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 22 days after the last snow.

ZIP 55020 is 12 miles from Farmington 3 NW, MN, which stands at 980 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 5 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 55044 (Lakeville). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 55020 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.