Last frost date in Bay City, MI

Average last frost
April 27

The average last frost in Bay City is April 27. By May 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 20, which leaves 173 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 5 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 11
Average first frost
Oct 20
Frost-free season
173 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 17
Next 7 nights in Bay City

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 20.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2242°
  2. FriOct 2340°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2642°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2840°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 27First frost Oct 20173 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND173 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Essexville, 2.8 miles from Bay City.

Planting calendar for Bay City

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Michigan.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 4–May 18
PumpkinsMay 11–May 25
SunflowersApr 27–May 18
CucumbersMay 11–May 18
CornMay 4–May 18
Sweet potatoesMay 18–Jun 1
WatermelonMay 11–May 25
Green beansMay 4–May 25
ZucchiniMay 4–May 18
OkraMay 18–Jun 1
PeppersMay 11–May 25
BasilMay 4–May 18
Butternut squashMay 4–May 18
CantaloupeMay 11–May 25
EggplantMay 11–May 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 30–Apr 13
OnionsMar 16–Apr 6
CarrotsApr 6–May 11
LettuceApr 13–May 4
BroccoliMar 30–Apr 13
BeetsMar 30–May 11
PeasMar 16–Mar 30
CabbageMar 30–Apr 13
RadishesMar 23–May 4
Brussels sproutsApr 13–Apr 27
SpinachMar 16–Apr 6
CilantroApr 13–May 4
KaleMar 30–Apr 13
Collard greensMar 30–Apr 13
TurnipsMar 30–Apr 13
DillApr 27–May 11
CeleryMay 4–May 11
CauliflowerApr 13–Apr 27
LeeksApr 13–Apr 27
Swiss chardApr 13–May 11
ParsleyApr 13–May 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 6–Nov 10
GarlicSep 29–Nov 3
Daffodil bulbsSep 22–Nov 3
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 30–Apr 13
AsparagusMar 30–Apr 13

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 15Apr 27May 11Oct 5Oct 20Nov 2
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 5Apr 17Apr 30Oct 18Nov 1Nov 14

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Essexville (USC00202631) sits 2.8 miles from the center of Bay City at 588 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Bay City, MI?

The average last frost date in Bay City is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.

When is the first frost in Bay City?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 20. One year in ten it arrives before October 5.

How long is the growing season in Bay City?

About 173 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Bay City?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 4 to May 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

All 59 cities in Michigan