Last frost date in Billings, MT

Average last frost
May 4

The average last frost in Billings is May 4. By May 18 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 7, which leaves 156 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 18
Average first frost
Oct 7
Frost-free season
156 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 21
Next 7 nights in Billings

Frost likely Fri night, low 32°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2332°frost
  3. SatOct 2430°frost
  4. SunOct 2531°frost
  5. MonOct 2631°frost
  6. TueOct 2734°possible frost
  7. WedOct 2832°frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 4First frost Oct 7156 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND156 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Billings Logan International Airport, 1.4 miles from Billings.

Planting calendar for Billings

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 11–May 25
PumpkinsMay 18–Jun 1
SunflowersMay 4–May 25
CucumbersMay 18–May 25
CornMay 11–May 25
Sweet potatoesMay 25–Jun 8
WatermelonMay 18–Jun 1
Green beansMay 11–Jun 1
ZucchiniMay 11–May 25
OkraMay 25–Jun 8
PeppersMay 18–Jun 1
BasilMay 11–May 25
Butternut squashMay 11–May 25
CantaloupeMay 18–Jun 1
EggplantMay 18–Jun 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 6–Apr 20
OnionsMar 23–Apr 13
CarrotsApr 13–May 18
LettuceApr 20–May 11
BroccoliApr 6–Apr 20
BeetsApr 6–May 18
PeasMar 23–Apr 6
CabbageApr 6–Apr 20
RadishesMar 30–May 11
Brussels sproutsApr 20–May 4
SpinachMar 23–Apr 13
CilantroApr 20–May 11
KaleApr 6–Apr 20
Collard greensApr 6–Apr 20
TurnipsApr 6–Apr 20
DillMay 4–May 18
CeleryMay 11–May 18
CauliflowerApr 20–May 4
LeeksApr 20–May 4
Swiss chardApr 20–May 18
ParsleyApr 20–May 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 23–Oct 28
GarlicSep 16–Oct 21
Daffodil bulbsSep 9–Oct 21
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 6–Apr 20
AsparagusApr 6–Apr 20

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 20May 4May 18Sep 26Oct 7Oct 21
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 4Apr 21May 7Oct 1Oct 16Oct 31

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 Billings Logan International Airport (USW00024033) sits 1.4 miles from the center of Billings at 3,581 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 Billings, MT?

The average last frost date in Billings is May 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 18.

When is the first frost in Billings?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 7. One year in ten it arrives before September 26.

How long is the growing season in Billings?

About 156 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Billings?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 11 to May 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Montana

All 7 cities in Montana