Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Pawnee City, NE

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring

As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.

While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.

Key dates for your spring planting:

  • By May 15, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around April 29, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before April 19, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them

If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.

In the Spring
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Last 16° Mar 28 Mar 21 Mar 16 Mar 11 Mar 7 Mar 3 Feb 26 Feb 21 Feb 13
Last 20° Apr 2 Mar 27 Mar 23 Mar 19 Mar 16 Mar 12 Mar 8 Mar 4 Feb 26
Last 24° Apr 11 Apr 6 Apr 2 Mar 30 Mar 27 Mar 24 Mar 20 Mar 17 Mar 11
Last 28° Apr 22 Apr 17 Apr 13 Apr 10 Apr 7 Apr 4 Mar 31 Mar 27 Mar 22
Last 32° May 5 Apr 29 Apr 25 Apr 22 Apr 19 Apr 16 Apr 12 Apr 8 Apr 3
Last 36° May 15 May 9 May 5 May 2 Apr 29 Apr 26 Apr 23 Apr 19 Apr 14

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Pawnee City, NE, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.

The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:

1
Early warning: Around September 27, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By October 9, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By October 21, there's an 80% chance of seeing 32°F — most tender plants will be damaged without protection
4
Another perspective: You have only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past October 21 without a freezing night

These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.

In the Fall
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
First 16° Nov 4 Nov 10 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 27 Dec 1 Dec 6 Dec 12
First 20° Oct 27 Nov 2 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 28 Dec 5
First 24° Oct 16 Oct 22 Oct 27 Oct 31 Nov 3 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 16 Nov 22
First 28° Oct 2 Oct 9 Oct 14 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 29 Nov 3 Nov 9
First 32° Sep 21 Sep 27 Oct 2 Oct 5 Oct 9 Oct 13 Oct 16 Oct 21 Oct 27
First 36° Sep 18 Sep 22 Sep 25 Sep 28 Oct 1 Oct 3 Oct 6 Oct 9 Oct 13

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.