Last frost date in Sterling Heights, MI

Average last frost
April 30

Expect the last frost in Sterling Heights around April 30. Frost after May 15 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 24, which leaves 174 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 15
Average first frost
Oct 24
Frost-free season
174 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 18
Next 7 nights in Sterling Heights

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2341°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2742°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 30First frost Oct 24174 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND174 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Mount Clemens Ang Base, 10.9 miles from Sterling Heights.

Planting calendar for Sterling Heights

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 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 10–Nov 14
GarlicOct 3–Nov 7
Daffodil bulbsSep 26–Nov 7
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 16Apr 30May 15Oct 7Oct 24Nov 3
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 3Apr 18May 3Oct 20Nov 3Nov 15

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 Mount Clemens Ang Base (USW00014804) sits 10.9 miles from the center of Sterling Heights at 580 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 Sterling Heights, MI?

The average last frost date in Sterling Heights is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 15.

When is the first frost in Sterling Heights?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 24. One year in ten it arrives before October 7.

How long is the growing season in Sterling Heights?

About 174 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sterling Heights?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

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