Missouri Frost Dates and Planting Zones
Across 1,155 ZIP codes we matched to a NOAA weather station, Missouri’s last spring frost (50% risk, 32°F) ranges from Apr 28 near Centerville to Mar 24 near Caruthersville. First fall frost runs from Oct 8 near Steelville 2 n to Nov 9 near Caruthersville. Look up your exact ZIP code on the frost date tool for a station-matched result and hardiness zone.
Frost dates by city in Missouri
The 12 weather stations covering the most MO ZIP codes, at the 50% and 10% probability levels (32°F threshold). The 10% date is later and safer to plant after; the 50% date is the typical planning date.
| Station | Last frost (50%) | Last frost (10%) | First frost (50%) | First frost (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| st Louis Sci Ctr | Apr 1 | Apr 18 | Nov 4 | Oct 24 |
| Kansas City Downtown ap | Apr 4 | Apr 20 | Nov 2 | Oct 21 |
| Independence | Apr 10 | Apr 26 | Oct 27 | Oct 14 |
| Festus | Apr 9 | Apr 25 | Oct 26 | Oct 14 |
| Springfield Wbo | Apr 4 | Apr 20 | Oct 27 | Oct 15 |
| Warrenton 1 n | Apr 14 | May 3 | Oct 23 | Oct 9 |
| Jefferson City Wtp | Apr 8 | Apr 23 | Oct 31 | Oct 17 |
| st Louis Sprt of s l ap | Apr 12 | Apr 27 | Oct 23 | Oct 11 |
| st Louis Lambert Intl ap | Apr 2 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | Oct 23 |
| Steffenville | Apr 17 | May 4 | Oct 19 | Sep 30 |
| Clearwater Dam | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | Oct 26 | Oct 12 |
| Smithville Lake | Apr 18 | May 3 | Oct 20 | Oct 5 |
USDA hardiness zones in Missouri
Share of Missouri ZIP codes in each 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. 78.6% of MO ZIP codes moved to a different zone between the 2012 and 2023 maps, mostly warming as winter lows trended up.
| Zone (2023) | Share of MO ZIPs |
|---|---|
| 5b | 3.4% |
| 6a | 18.9% |
| 6b | 45.6% |
| 7a | 27% |
| 7b | 4.5% |
| 8a | 0.5% |
Climate is shifting
Averaged across MO stations with both normals periods, the last spring frost now lands about 2 days earlier than the 1981–2010 normal. First fall frost now lands about 4 days later, stretching or shrinking the frost-free season depending on the station.
Plan around your Missouri frost dates
Once you know your local last and first frost, these guides help you time the work around them: