South Dakota Frost Dates
South Dakota has 167 NOAA weather stations with freeze records in the 1991–2020 climate normals. The typical last spring frost ranges from April 26 at Sioux Falls Wfo Ap to June 1 at Hill City; at half the stations it has come by May 8. The first fall frost typically arrives between September 10 at Hill City and October 13 at Sioux Falls Wfo Ap, with a median of October 1.
The growing season between the typical frosts runs from 102 days at Hill City to 169 days at Sioux Falls Wfo Ap; 145 days at the median station.
At 1 station, a freeze is possible in any month.
Every station in South Dakota
Typical dates have a 50% chance of a frost after them in spring, and before them in fall; safer dates, 10%. A garden can differ from its nearest station, especially in a valley or on a hillside: see why your garden may differ.
| Station | Elevation | Last frost | Safer | First frost | Safer | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen 3 E | 1,301 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Sep 29 | Sep 17 | 144 |
| Aberdeen 35 Wnw | 1,957 ft | May 10 | May 22 | Sep 30 | Sep 19 | 143 |
| Aberdeen | 1,302 ft | May 9 | May 22 | Sep 26 | Sep 14 | 139 |
| Academy 2ne | 1,681 ft | Apr 30 | May 14 | Oct 8 | Sep 24 | 159 |
| Alexandria | 1,365 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Sep 29 | Sep 17 | 143 |
| Andover #2 | 1,478 ft | May 6 | May 21 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 150 |
| Antelope Rs | 2,820 ft | May 19 | Jun 2 | Sep 19 | Sep 3 | 121 |
| Ardmore 1 Nw | 3,540 ft | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 23 | Sep 9 | 128 |
| Arlington 1 W | 1,824 ft | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 2 | Sep 19 | 151 |
| Armour | 1,510 ft | May 3 | May 18 | Oct 6 | Sep 23 | 157 |
| Astoria 4s | 1,890 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 | 150 |
| Bear Ridge | 3,900 ft | May 17 | May 30 | Sep 27 | Sep 11 | 132 |
| Belle Fourche 22 Nnw | 3,200 ft | May 15 | May 28 | Sep 24 | Sep 9 | 130 |
| Belle Fourche | 3,020 ft | May 10 | May 25 | Sep 30 | Sep 16 | 143 |
| Bison | 2,780 ft | May 10 | May 24 | Oct 1 | Sep 16 | 144 |
| Bonesteel | 1,985 ft | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 10 | Sep 26 | 159 |
| Bridgewater | 1,417 ft | Apr 30 | May 11 | Oct 7 | Sep 25 | 161 |
| Britton | 1,355 ft | May 13 | May 27 | Sep 26 | Sep 14 | 135 |
| Brookings 2 Ne | 1,639 ft | May 6 | May 19 | Oct 1 | Sep 17 | 145 |
| Buffalo 13 Ese | 2,883 ft | May 20 | Jun 2 | Sep 19 | Sep 3 | 120 |
| Buffalo Asos | 3,004 ft | May 10 | May 23 | Oct 1 | Sep 16 | 141 |
| Camp Crook | 3,120 ft | May 17 | May 30 | Sep 24 | Sep 9 | 128 |
| Canton | 1,316 ft | May 2 | May 15 | Oct 2 | Sep 19 | 151 |
| Castlewood #2 | 1,689 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 145 |
| Castlewood | 1,685 ft | May 10 | May 23 | Sep 27 | Sep 14 | 139 |
| Cedar Butte | 2,355 ft | May 6 | May 22 | Oct 4 | Sep 22 | 151 |
| Centerville 6 Se | 1,276 ft | May 2 | May 15 | Oct 1 | Sep 17 | 151 |
| Chamberlain 5 S | 1,704 ft | May 3 | May 17 | Oct 7 | Sep 25 | 156 |
| Chamberlain Muni Ap | 1,703 ft | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 7 | Sep 23 | 158 |
| Clark No2 | 1,814 ft | May 5 | May 17 | Oct 5 | Sep 24 | 152 |
| Clark | 1,804 ft | May 5 | May 18 | Oct 5 | Sep 24 | 153 |
| Clear Lake | 1,812 ft | May 7 | May 21 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 146 |
| Columbia 8 N | 1,305 ft | May 7 | May 22 | Sep 29 | Sep 18 | 145 |
| Conde | 1,330 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Sep 29 | Sep 16 | 144 |
| Cottonwood 2 E | 2,373 ft | May 16 | May 29 | Sep 26 | Sep 13 | 132 |
| Custer Co Ap | 5,545 ft | May 23 | Jun 6 | Sep 24 | Sep 9 | 122 |
| Custer | 5,480 ft | May 18 | Jun 1 | Sep 28 | Sep 10 | 129 |
| De Smet | 1,705 ft | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 4 | Sep 23 | 151 |
| Deadwood | 4,670 ft | May 24 | Jun 6 | Sep 25 | Sep 9 | 125 |
| Dupree 15 Sse | 2,100 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 2 | Sep 20 | 148 |
| Dupree | 2,388 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 1 | Sep 17 | 144 |
| Edgemont 23 Nnw | 4,402 ft | May 18 | Jun 1 | Sep 27 | Sep 14 | 130 |
| Edgemont | 3,432 ft | May 23 | Jun 7 | Sep 20 | Sep 6 | 117 |
| Elm Springs 3 Ese | 2,645 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 3 | Sep 18 | 146 |
| Eureka | 1,871 ft | May 12 | May 25 | Sep 27 | Sep 14 | 137 |
| Faith Muni Ap | 2,580 ft | May 7 | May 20 | Oct 3 | Sep 19 | 147 |
| Faith | 2,592 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 5 | Sep 20 | 151 |
| Faulkton 1 Nw | 1,597 ft | May 10 | May 25 | Sep 28 | Sep 15 | 139 |
| Flandreau | 1,567 ft | May 5 | May 17 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 148 |
| Forestburg 4 Nne | 1,277 ft | May 9 | May 24 | Sep 28 | Sep 14 | 140 |
| Ft Meade | 3,308 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Oct 3 | Sep 19 | 147 |
| Ft Pierre 17 Wsw | 1,590 ft | May 10 | May 25 | Sep 27 | Sep 13 | 138 |
| Gann Valley 3 Nne | 1,646 ft | May 7 | May 21 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 146 |
| Gann Valley 4nw | 1,720 ft | May 6 | May 19 | Oct 1 | Sep 20 | 148 |
| Gettysburg | 2,084 ft | May 7 | May 21 | Oct 2 | Sep 21 | 147 |
| Glad Valley 2 W | 2,487 ft | May 11 | May 24 | Sep 30 | Sep 16 | 140 |
| Gregory | 2,160 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 3 | Sep 21 | 149 |
| Harrington | 2,980 ft | May 11 | May 24 | Oct 1 | Sep 18 | 143 |
| Harrold 12 Ssw | 1,701 ft | May 17 | May 31 | Sep 24 | Sep 10 | 129 |
| Hereford 12 Sw | 2,810 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 | 147 |
| Highmore 1 W | 1,888 ft | May 12 | May 28 | Oct 1 | Sep 17 | 142 |
| Highmore 23 N | 1,870 ft | May 14 | May 25 | Sep 29 | Sep 16 | 138 |
| Hill City | 4,946 ft | Jun 1 | Jun 19 | Sep 10 | Aug 29 | 102 |
| Hoover | 2,773 ft | May 19 | May 31 | Sep 21 | Sep 6 | 122 |
| Hot Springs | 3,560 ft | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 27 | Sep 12 | 133 |
| Howard | 1,570 ft | May 5 | May 18 | Oct 2 | Sep 19 | 149 |
| Huron Rgnl Ap | 1,280 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 2 | Sep 19 | 146 |
| Interior 3 Ne | 2,440 ft | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 7 | Sep 23 | 152 |
| Ipswich | 1,547 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Sep 29 | Sep 17 | 143 |
| Johnson Siding | 4,184 ft | May 20 | Jun 3 | Sep 25 | Sep 11 | 126 |
| Kennebec | 1,681 ft | May 12 | May 26 | Sep 28 | Sep 15 | 137 |
| Kirley 6 N | 2,160 ft | May 6 | May 21 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 148 |
| Kyle 2 E | 2,958 ft | May 11 | May 27 | Oct 1 | Sep 15 | 139 |
| Ladner 9sw | 3,000 ft | May 13 | May 25 | Sep 27 | Sep 11 | 135 |
| Lake Sharpe Prj | 1,461 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 5 | Sep 23 | 152 |
| Lead | 5,112 ft | May 18 | Jun 1 | Sep 29 | Sep 15 | 133 |
| Lemmon | 2,567 ft | May 10 | May 24 | Sep 30 | Sep 18 | 142 |
| Leola | 1,580 ft | May 9 | May 21 | Sep 28 | Sep 17 | 141 |
| Lodgepole 5sw | 2,570 ft | May 30 | Jun 13 | Sep 11 | Aug 28 | 103 |
| Longvalley | 2,470 ft | May 9 | May 24 | Oct 1 | Sep 17 | 143 |
| Ludlow 3 Sse | 2,990 ft | May 16 | May 29 | Sep 26 | Sep 9 | 131 |
| Madison 2se | 1,643 ft | May 5 | May 18 | Sep 30 | Sep 18 | 148 |
| Manderson 3 Ne | 3,095 ft | May 9 | May 24 | Oct 4 | Sep 20 | 147 |
| Martin 8 E | 3,036 ft | May 14 | May 28 | Oct 1 | Sep 16 | 139 |
| Martin | 3,330 ft | May 13 | May 27 | Oct 2 | Sep 18 | 141 |
| Maurine 12sw | 2,629 ft | May 13 | May 27 | Sep 28 | Sep 13 | 136 |
| Mc Intosh 6 Se | 2,179 ft | May 9 | May 24 | Sep 30 | Sep 19 | 143 |
| Mc Laughlin | 2,001 ft | May 12 | May 25 | Sep 28 | Sep 16 | 137 |
| Mellette 4 W | 1,296 ft | May 11 | May 23 | Sep 27 | Sep 15 | 137 |
| Menno | 1,332 ft | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 156 |
| Midland | 1,870 ft | May 12 | May 26 | Sep 28 | Sep 13 | 138 |
| Milbank 4 Nw | 1,145 ft | May 2 | May 15 | Oct 4 | Sep 22 | 153 |
| Milbank | 1,142 ft | May 5 | May 18 | Oct 2 | Sep 20 | 150 |
| Milesville 5 Ne | 2,237 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 2 | Sep 17 | 147 |
| Miller | 1,576 ft | May 3 | May 16 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 | 152 |
| Mission 14 S | 2,810 ft | May 11 | May 25 | Oct 2 | Sep 21 | 145 |
| Mission Ridge 5nw | 1,982 ft | May 6 | May 22 | Oct 7 | Sep 22 | 152 |
| Mission | 2,587 ft | May 9 | May 21 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 146 |
| Mitchell 2 N | 1,250 ft | May 2 | May 15 | Oct 6 | Sep 23 | 156 |
| Mitchell Muni Ap | 1,303 ft | Apr 30 | May 13 | Oct 5 | Sep 22 | 159 |
| Mitchell | 1,287 ft | Apr 27 | May 10 | Oct 11 | Sep 30 | 167 |
| Mobridge 2nnw | 1,693 ft | May 3 | May 16 | Oct 8 | Sep 25 | 157 |
| Mobridge Muni Ap | 1,715 ft | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 150 |
| Montrose 8n | 1,718 ft | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 153 |
| Mt Rushmore Nmem | 5,311 ft | May 15 | May 29 | Oct 1 | Sep 16 | 138 |
| Murdo | 2,316 ft | May 3 | May 16 | Oct 9 | Sep 25 | 158 |
| Newell | 2,860 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 144 |
| Oahe Dam | 1,663 ft | May 6 | May 19 | Oct 5 | Sep 23 | 152 |
| Oelrichs | 3,348 ft | May 15 | May 28 | Sep 30 | Sep 16 | 137 |
| Oglala 1s | 2,995 ft | May 7 | May 21 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 149 |
| Onida 4 Nw | 1,851 ft | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 2 | Sep 19 | 147 |
| Oral | 2,960 ft | May 15 | May 28 | Sep 27 | Sep 11 | 133 |
| Pactola Dam | 4,720 ft | May 28 | Jun 11 | Sep 18 | Sep 4 | 112 |
| Philip Ap | 2,206 ft | May 11 | May 24 | Sep 30 | Sep 17 | 141 |
| Pickstown 4ssw | 1,707 ft | Apr 27 | May 11 | Oct 13 | Sep 27 | 168 |
| Pickstown | 1,490 ft | Apr 30 | May 12 | Oct 13 | Sep 29 | 165 |
| Pierre 24 S | 2,124 ft | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 7 | Sep 22 | 154 |
| Pierre Rgnl Ap | 1,742 ft | May 6 | May 21 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 | 148 |
| Pine Ridge Ap | 3,278 ft | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 27 | Sep 13 | 132 |
| Plainview 6 Ssw | 2,377 ft | May 15 | May 29 | Sep 27 | Sep 14 | 134 |
| Pollock | 1,639 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Sep 30 | Sep 18 | 143 |
| Porcupine 11 N | 2,820 ft | May 17 | Jun 1 | Sep 25 | Sep 10 | 130 |
| Presho 7 Nw | 1,810 ft | May 12 | May 28 | Sep 29 | Sep 16 | 140 |
| Ralph 1 N | 2,790 ft | May 18 | May 31 | Sep 23 | Sep 8 | 126 |
| Rapid City 4nw | 3,479 ft | May 10 | May 25 | Oct 5 | Sep 20 | 147 |
| Rapid City Rgnl Ap | 3,160 ft | May 12 | May 26 | Oct 1 | Sep 16 | 139 |
| Rapid City Wfo | 3,379 ft | May 3 | May 17 | Oct 8 | Sep 26 | 157 |
| Rauville 2 W | 1,737 ft | May 7 | May 20 | Sep 28 | Sep 16 | 143 |
| Red Owl | 2,773 ft | May 16 | May 27 | Sep 26 | Sep 11 | 131 |
| Redfield | 1,309 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 145 |
| Redig 11 Ne | 3,070 ft | May 15 | May 27 | Sep 24 | Sep 9 | 131 |
| Rochford 2 Wnw | 5,450 ft | A freeze is possible in any month | ||||
| Roscoe | 1,835 ft | May 7 | May 20 | Oct 3 | Sep 19 | 148 |
| Roy Lake | 1,810 ft | May 2 | May 15 | Oct 9 | Sep 27 | 160 |
| Salem 5ne | 1,594 ft | May 7 | May 19 | Sep 29 | Sep 17 | 144 |
| Selby | 1,908 ft | May 8 | May 21 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 145 |
| Shadehill Rsvr | 2,450 ft | May 16 | May 29 | Sep 24 | Sep 9 | 131 |
| Sioux Falls 14 Nne | 1,594 ft | May 1 | May 15 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | 155 |
| Sioux Falls Wfo Ap | 1,430 ft | Apr 26 | May 9 | Oct 13 | Sep 28 | 169 |
| Sioux Falls | 1,430 ft | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 6 | Sep 23 | 157 |
| Sisseton Muni Ap | 1,161 ft | May 3 | May 16 | Sep 30 | Sep 17 | 149 |
| Sisseton | 1,209 ft | May 4 | May 17 | Oct 3 | Sep 22 | 151 |
| Spearfish | 3,633 ft | May 12 | May 25 | Oct 2 | Sep 21 | 143 |
| Stephan 2 Nw | 1,805 ft | May 10 | May 24 | Sep 29 | Sep 16 | 140 |
| Summit 1 W | 1,955 ft | May 14 | May 28 | Sep 28 | Sep 13 | 136 |
| Timber Lake | 2,173 ft | May 10 | May 23 | Sep 30 | Sep 17 | 141 |
| Turton | 1,335 ft | May 7 | May 22 | Oct 3 | Sep 21 | 149 |
| Tyndall | 1,420 ft | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 7 | Sep 24 | 158 |
| Vermillion 2 Se | 1,137 ft | May 3 | May 16 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 | 153 |
| Victor 4 N | 1,095 ft | May 4 | May 17 | Oct 3 | Sep 21 | 152 |
| Wagner | 1,430 ft | Apr 29 | May 12 | Oct 9 | Sep 25 | 164 |
| Wasta | 2,328 ft | May 10 | May 25 | Oct 1 | Sep 14 | 141 |
| Watertown 2 S | 1,772 ft | May 3 | May 14 | Oct 4 | Sep 22 | 153 |
| Watertown Rgnl Ap | 1,748 ft | May 7 | May 20 | Sep 30 | Sep 19 | 145 |
| Waubay Natl Wild Life | 1,827 ft | May 1 | May 12 | Oct 12 | Sep 30 | 164 |
| Webster | 1,861 ft | May 4 | May 16 | Oct 6 | Sep 25 | 156 |
| Wentworth 2.5 Wnw | 1,722 ft | May 2 | May 14 | Oct 5 | Sep 24 | 156 |
| Wessington Springs | 1,715 ft | May 2 | May 14 | Oct 8 | Sep 26 | 157 |
| White Lake | 1,629 ft | May 3 | May 17 | Oct 5 | Sep 21 | 153 |
| Wilmot | 1,201 ft | May 5 | May 18 | Oct 1 | Sep 21 | 149 |
| Wind Cave | 4,155 ft | May 15 | May 30 | Sep 29 | Sep 13 | 133 |
| Winfred 2s | 1,705 ft | May 6 | May 17 | Oct 3 | Sep 22 | 151 |
| Winner Wiley Fld | 2,032 ft | May 1 | May 15 | Oct 10 | Sep 27 | 162 |
| Winner | 2,016 ft | May 1 | May 16 | Oct 9 | Sep 25 | 159 |
| Wood | 2,180 ft | May 10 | May 22 | Oct 1 | Sep 19 | 143 |
| Yankton 2 E | 1,180 ft | Apr 27 | May 10 | Oct 11 | Sep 27 | 164 |
| Zeona 10 Ssw | 2,730 ft | May 11 | May 27 | Sep 28 | Sep 12 | 137 |
Plan your garden with these dates
Enter your ZIP code in the planner: it picks the nearest of these stations and dates every crop in your beds from its frosts. Free, in your browser.
Questions
When is the last frost in South Dakota?
It depends on where you are. The typical last spring frost at South Dakota's NOAA stations ranges from April 26 to June 1, and half of them have had it by May 8. Enter your ZIP code above for the station nearest you.
When is the first frost in South Dakota?
Typically between September 10 and October 13, depending on the station; the median is October 1. Plan fall crops back from your own station's date.
What do "typical" and "safer" mean?
With the typical (50%) last-frost date, half of years still have a frost after it. With the safer (10%) date, only one year in ten does. In fall it's the other way around: the safer date is the earlier one.
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