Last frost date in Pawtucket, RI

Average last frost
April 22

The average last frost in Pawtucket is April 22. By May 6 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 179 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 5 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 6
Average first frost
Oct 19
Frost-free season
179 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 7
Next 7 nights in Pawtucket

Frost likely Fri night, low 31°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2237°
  2. FriOct 2331°frost
  3. SatOct 2432°frost
  4. SunOct 2536°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 22First frost Oct 19179 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND179 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Woonsocket, 9.7 miles from Pawtucket.

Planting calendar for Pawtucket

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 29–May 13
PumpkinsMay 6–May 20
SunflowersApr 22–May 13
CucumbersMay 6–May 13
CornApr 29–May 13
Sweet potatoesMay 13–May 27
WatermelonMay 6–May 20
Green beansApr 29–May 20
ZucchiniApr 29–May 13
OkraMay 13–May 27
PeppersMay 6–May 20
BasilApr 29–May 13
Butternut squashApr 29–May 13
CantaloupeMay 6–May 20
EggplantMay 6–May 20
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 25–Apr 8
OnionsMar 11–Apr 1
CarrotsApr 1–May 6
LettuceApr 8–Apr 29
BroccoliMar 25–Apr 8
BeetsMar 25–May 6
PeasMar 11–Mar 25
CabbageMar 25–Apr 8
RadishesMar 18–Apr 29
Brussels sproutsApr 8–Apr 22
SpinachMar 11–Apr 1
CilantroApr 8–Apr 29
KaleMar 25–Apr 8
Collard greensMar 25–Apr 8
TurnipsMar 25–Apr 8
DillApr 22–May 6
CeleryApr 29–May 6
CauliflowerApr 8–Apr 22
LeeksApr 8–Apr 22
Swiss chardApr 8–May 6
ParsleyApr 8–Apr 29
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 25–Apr 8
AsparagusMar 25–Apr 8

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 9Apr 22May 6Oct 5Oct 19Nov 2
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 28Apr 7Apr 20Oct 16Oct 31Nov 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 Woonsocket (USC00379423) sits 9.7 miles from the center of Pawtucket at 110 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 Pawtucket, RI?

The average last frost date in Pawtucket is April 22, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 6.

When is the first frost in Pawtucket?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before October 5.

How long is the growing season in Pawtucket?

About 179 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Pawtucket?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 29 to May 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Rhode Island

All 8 cities in Rhode Island