Frost dates / By state
Frost dates in Massachusetts
NOAA 1991–2020 normals for a 32 °F freeze. Your own yard can run a little either side.
Short answer
Across 19 NOAA weather stations in Massachusetts, the average last spring frost runs from April 4 at Boston Logan Intl Airport to May 10 at North Adams Harriman Airport. The first fall frost comes as early as October 4 at North Adams Harriman Airport and as late as November 9 at Boston Logan Intl Airport. Planting zones near these stations run from 5b to 7b.
Massachusetts cities
- Frost dates in Boston: last frost April 4, first frost November 9
- Frost dates in Worcester: last frost April 23, first frost October 21
- Frost dates in Springfield: last frost May 3, first frost October 8
Find yours by ZIP code
The table below is by weather station. For the station nearest you, and your planting zone, type your ZIP code.
Massachusetts frost dates by weather station
| Station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Frost-free | Zone nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Hanscom Fld 133 ft | April 28 1 in 10 after May 12 | October 10 1 in 10 by September 28 | 165 days | 6b |
| Beverly Muni Airport 108 ft | April 24 1 in 10 after May 6 | October 17 1 in 10 by October 3 | 176 days | 6b |
| Blue Hill 625 ft | April 19 1 in 10 after May 1 | October 24 1 in 10 by October 10 | 188 days | 6b |
| Boston Logan Intl Airport 12 ft | April 4 1 in 10 after April 17 | November 9 1 in 10 by October 29 | 219 days | 7a |
| Chatham Muni Airport 68 ft | April 13 1 in 10 after April 26 | November 4 1 in 10 by October 21 | 205 days | 7b |
| Fitchburg Muni Airport 348 ft | April 29 1 in 10 after May 13 | October 11 1 in 10 by October 1 | 165 days | 6a |
| Hyannis Barnstable Muni Airport 55 ft | April 22 1 in 10 after May 5 | October 28 1 in 10 by October 13 | 189 days | 7a |
| Lawrence Muni Airport 149 ft | April 21 1 in 10 after May 1 | October 21 1 in 10 by October 6 | 183 days | 6b |
| Nantucket Mem Airport 45 ft | April 13 1 in 10 after April 27 | November 8 1 in 10 by October 25 | 209 days | 7b |
| New Bedford Muni Airport 80 ft | April 29 1 in 10 after May 15 | October 15 1 in 10 by October 2 | 169 days | 7a |
| North Adams Harriman Airport 654 ft | May 10 1 in 10 after May 25 | October 4 1 in 10 by September 21 | 147 days | 5b |
| Norwood Mem Airport 50 ft | April 25 1 in 10 after May 11 | October 9 1 in 10 by September 28 | 167 days | 6b |
| Orange Muni Airport 555 ft | May 4 1 in 10 after May 17 | October 8 1 in 10 by September 27 | 157 days | 5b |
| Pittsfield Muni Airport 1,194 ft | May 5 1 in 10 after May 21 | October 5 1 in 10 by September 23 | 153 days | 5b |
| Plymouth Muni Airport 149 ft | April 30 1 in 10 after May 12 | October 16 1 in 10 by October 3 | 169 days | 6b |
| Taunton Muni Airport 43 ft | May 2 1 in 10 after May 16 | October 8 1 in 10 by September 25 | 159 days | 6b |
| Vineyard Haven Airport 68 ft | May 7 1 in 10 after May 27 | October 9 1 in 10 by September 23 | 155 days | 7a |
| Westfield Barnes Muni Airport 271 ft | May 3 1 in 10 after May 17 | October 8 1 in 10 by September 26 | 158 days | 6a |
| Worcester Rgnl Airport 1,000 ft | April 23 1 in 10 after May 5 | October 21 1 in 10 by October 6 | 181 days | 6b |
The average date is NOAA's 50% date: half of years have a later last frost, or an earlier first one. Plan by the 1-in-10 date if a freeze would cost you plants. Stations are NOAA's main weather stations, mostly airports. “Zone nearby” is the USDA 2023 zone of the nearest ZIP code within 10 miles. NOAA counts the frost season from August to July, so in the warmest places the “first fall” freeze lands after New Year.
How these dates work
Frost dates come from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 Climate Normals, which work out from each weather station's daily lows how likely the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze (32 °F) are by each date. We use the station nearest the middle of your ZIP code and show its height and distance, since a station on a hill or by a lake can differ from your yard.
The average date is the 50% date: half of years have a freeze after the spring date or before the fall one. The 1-in-10 dates are NOAA's 10% dates, the ones to plan by if a late freeze would cost you plants. Within one yard, cold air pools in low spots while walls and paving hold heat, so some corners freeze before others.
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Where the numbers come from
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University (zone data)
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal
- NOAA, Normals calculation methodology (frost-freeze probability dates)
- US Census Bureau, 2025 ZCTA gazetteer (ZIP code centers)