After a frosty start to the week, some home gardeners may be hoping that’s the last we’ve seen of below-freezing temperatures — but don’t count on it.
On Monday morning, April 20, Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula saw a freeze warning while northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula haven’t even reached the point of considering planting outdoors.
Days after temperatures reached the mid-70s, Grand Rapids and Muskegon fell to 26 degrees on Monday, and Detroit got down to 28. Lansing, Holland and Battle Creek all fell to 27.
To the north, Traverse City fell to 21 while Houghton lake and Alpena both dipped to 23.
In the U.P., where there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, Sault Ste. Marie dropped down to 19 degrees and Marquette posted a mid-winter feeling 13 degrees.
Different areas of Michigan can experience frost until early June in Michigan, according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, a program that provides climate data, tools, interactive maps for the Midwest.
Here’s what 50 years of frost data from the National Weather Service shows, and findings from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center:
When does Michigan see its last freeze of the season?
According to the NWS climate information, here are the mean last frost dates calculated from data from 1976 to 2026 for major Michigan cities, including the earliest and latest dates recorded:
Detroit
Ann Arbor
Lansing
Grand Rapids
Battle Creek
Traverse City
Alpena
Sault Ste. Marie
Marquette
Last freezes in Michigan: What do other forecasters say?
In addition to the NWS, the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, a program between the National Centers for Environmental Information and Purdue University, provides climate data with interactive maps for the Midwest that shows the average freeze dates for the spring and fall seasons from 1950 to 2024.
On average, Michigan can see freezing temperatures until early June, according to the MRCC.
The Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula counties typically see freezing temperatures later than the southern Lower Peninsula.
In the Lower Peninsula, the average last freeze date was recorded on May 27 in Otsego and Kalkaska counties — latest dates overall in the Lower Peninsula. In the U.P., the average last freeze date was recorded on June 3 in Iron County.
Is there a difference between a frost and a freeze?
Yes. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, frost forms at temperatures near 32 degrees, while a freeze is when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees for an extended period.
The Almanac provides first and last frost dates for select cities across the state.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Will we get more frost in Michigan? When it’s safe to plant gardens
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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