Missouri frost/freeze probabilities guide

Abstract

"This guide provides a generalized view of expected last spring and first fall frost dates for Missouri to help you in making your plant-sensitive management decisions. Typically, the first fall frost (temperature of 32 degrees F or lower) occurs over northern and central Missouri by the second or third week of October, respectively. Similarly, the last spring frost occurs over northern and central Missouri by the third and second week of April, respectively. Frosts are more likely to be experienced earlier in the fall or later in the spring over the Ozarks than in central Missouri because the higher elevation of the Ozark Plateau causes cooler temperatures in the Ozark region. As the Ozark Plateau transitions to the southeastern lowlands of the Bootheel, the average first fall frost generally occurs between the last week of October and the first week of November. Similarly, the average last spring frost occurs between the second week of April to the end of March." -- Introduction