Frost Dates and Precipitation in Kalamazoo County - Ask Extension
I found the excellent sheet of last frost dates on the extension website, but when should I expect the first fall frosts? Is there data for each (firs...
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Frost Dates and Precipitation in Kalamazoo County #891585
Asked January 14, 2025, 6:44 PM EST
I found the excellent sheet of last frost dates on the extension website, but when should I expect the first fall frosts? Is there data for each (first and last) frost date available for at least the last five years?
Also, is there an accessible table of weekly precipitation going back for at least the last five years?
Kalamazoo County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Shea,
Lately, trying to figure out the first and last frost dates has become a guessing game. Climate Change has affected all areas of our environment. As far as I can determine, the last frost date in southwest Michigan in 2024 was around April 25 and the first frost date was October 27. These dates are usually a predictor of future frost conditions and not an exact date when you can plant or when the growing season is over. For example, the last frost date may have been on April 25. Still, it wasn't safe to plant most vegetables and flowers--- except for cool weather crops and some perennial transplants --- until the nighttime temperatures were consistently above 50 degrees.
https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=grr
MSU uses Enviroweather, which is based on Growing Degree Days (GDD), to help all users from large commercial farms to individual home gardens make informed choices. Its mission is to develop and deliver a sustainable weather-based information system that helps users make pest, plant production, and natural resource management decisions in Michigan. Based on your question, I thought that this might be a site that would interest you. You will find all types of weather-related content here, including precipitation (rain and snow) amounts in all counties in Michigan. At first, it may be very confusing, but there are good videos and information to help you.
https://enviroweather.msu.edu/weathermodels/weathersummary
As for rainfall amounts, try the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ I believe you'll find what you're looking for at that site.
I hope this information helps, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need more information.
Have a great week and stay warm!
Lately, trying to figure out the first and last frost dates has become a guessing game. Climate Change has affected all areas of our environment. As far as I can determine, the last frost date in southwest Michigan in 2024 was around April 25 and the first frost date was October 27. These dates are usually a predictor of future frost conditions and not an exact date when you can plant or when the growing season is over. For example, the last frost date may have been on April 25. Still, it wasn't safe to plant most vegetables and flowers--- except for cool weather crops and some perennial transplants --- until the nighttime temperatures were consistently above 50 degrees.
https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=grr
MSU uses Enviroweather, which is based on Growing Degree Days (GDD), to help all users from large commercial farms to individual home gardens make informed choices. Its mission is to develop and deliver a sustainable weather-based information system that helps users make pest, plant production, and natural resource management decisions in Michigan. Based on your question, I thought that this might be a site that would interest you. You will find all types of weather-related content here, including precipitation (rain and snow) amounts in all counties in Michigan. At first, it may be very confusing, but there are good videos and information to help you.
https://enviroweather.msu.edu/weathermodels/weathersummary
As for rainfall amounts, try the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ I believe you'll find what you're looking for at that site.
I hope this information helps, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need more information.
Have a great week and stay warm!
