Plant By Frost

South Dakota

Frost dates for Pactola Dam, SD

At this NOAA station the last spring frost (32°F) usually comes by May 28 and the first fall frost around September 18, giving a growing season of about 112 days.

May 28average last spring frost
September 18average first fall frost
JanAprJulOctDec

Frost odds

1 year in 10 the last spring frost is later thanJune 11
Half of years the last spring frost is later thanMay 28
9 years in 10 the last spring frost is later thanMay 16
1 year in 10 the first fall frost is earlier thanSeptember 4
Half of years the first fall frost is earlier thanSeptember 18
9 years in 10 the first fall frost is earlier thanOctober 1

A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends by May 15 and returns around September 29.

A light frost (36°F, which can still nip tender plants) usually ends by June 13 and returns around September 7.

Station USC00396427, elevation 1439 m. Based on 27 years of 1991 to 2020 records. A garden higher up, in a hollow or far from this station can freeze later in spring.

Check another ZIP

Sources

  1. U.S. Annual/Seasonal Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020 (freeze probability dates by station), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, checked 1 November 2026
  2. Annual/Seasonal Normals 1991 to 2020 documentation, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, checked 1 November 2026
  3. 2024 Gazetteer Files, ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, US Census Bureau, checked 1 November 2026