Last frost date in Sioux Falls, SD

Average last frost
April 26

Expect the last frost in Sioux Falls around April 26. Frost after May 9 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 13, which leaves 169 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 28 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 9
Average first frost
Oct 13
Frost-free season
169 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 15
Next 7 nights in Sioux Falls

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 13.

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

  1. ThuOct 2259°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2639°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 26First frost Oct 13169 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND169 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Sioux Falls Wfo Airport, 3.3 miles from Sioux Falls.

Planting calendar for Sioux Falls

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 3–May 17
PumpkinsMay 10–May 24
SunflowersApr 26–May 17
CucumbersMay 10–May 17
CornMay 3–May 17
Sweet potatoesMay 17–May 31
WatermelonMay 10–May 24
Green beansMay 3–May 24
ZucchiniMay 3–May 17
OkraMay 17–May 31
PeppersMay 10–May 24
BasilMay 3–May 17
Butternut squashMay 3–May 17
CantaloupeMay 10–May 24
EggplantMay 10–May 24
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 29–Apr 12
OnionsMar 15–Apr 5
CarrotsApr 5–May 10
LettuceApr 12–May 3
BroccoliMar 29–Apr 12
BeetsMar 29–May 10
PeasMar 15–Mar 29
CabbageMar 29–Apr 12
RadishesMar 22–May 3
Brussels sproutsApr 12–Apr 26
SpinachMar 15–Apr 5
CilantroApr 12–May 3
KaleMar 29–Apr 12
Collard greensMar 29–Apr 12
TurnipsMar 29–Apr 12
DillApr 26–May 10
CeleryMay 3–May 10
CauliflowerApr 12–Apr 26
LeeksApr 12–Apr 26
Swiss chardApr 12–May 10
ParsleyApr 12–May 3
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 29–Nov 3
GarlicSep 22–Oct 27
Daffodil bulbsSep 15–Oct 27
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 29–Apr 12
AsparagusMar 29–Apr 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 10Apr 26May 9Sep 28Oct 13Oct 28
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 15Apr 30Oct 11Oct 24Nov 6

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 Sioux Falls Wfo Airport (USC00397666) sits 3.3 miles from the center of Sioux Falls at 1,430 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 Sioux Falls, SD?

The average last frost date in Sioux Falls is April 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.

When is the first frost in Sioux Falls?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 13. One year in ten it arrives before September 28.

How long is the growing season in Sioux Falls?

About 169 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sioux Falls?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 3 to May 17. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Dakota

All 5 cities in South Dakota