Omaha, Nebraska Frost Dates, Growing Season & Hardiness Zone

When is the last frost in Omaha?

In half of years, the last 32°F night has passed by Apr 16. In 1 year out of 10, one still comes after May 6. The last 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes later, around May 2, and the last 28°F hard freeze earlier, around Apr 5.

Frost risk in Omaha drags on well past the typical date. The safer 1-in-10 date (May 6) is 20 days later than the typical Apr 16, so protect tender plants set out early on cold nights.

Cold nights don't end with the last freeze. The typical last 36°F night (frost possible on plants in low spots) comes around May 2, 16 days after the typical last 32°F night. On clear, calm nights, frost can form on leaves while the thermometer still reads above freezing.

Is it too early to plant in Omaha?

Before Apr 16 the odds of another 32°F night are better than even; after May 6 they are about 1 in 10 or less.

Today's risk is computed in your browser from the same NOAA probability table, shown as the range between the two nearest NOAA probability levels.

When is the first frost in Omaha?

The typical first fall freeze (32°F) comes by Oct 18, but 1 year in 10 it shows up as early as Oct 2. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Oct 9, and the first hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around Oct 26.

For fall crops, count back from Oct 18, or from Oct 2 to be safe. Our planting calendar does the math for each crop.

How long is Omaha's growing season?

In a typical year, Omaha gets 183 days between the last and first 32°F nights. About 1 year in 10, the season is shorter than 159 days.

That's enough time for most warm-season vegetables if they go in on time. Long-season crops do best started from transplants.

Growing degree days measure the heat available for crops to grow. The station averages 3,493 a year (base 50°F).

How does Omaha's season compare?

Nationwide, across the 56 cities with frost dates on this site, the typical frost-free season here outlasts the one in 22 of them and falls short of the one in 32.

Growing degree days (base 50°F)

Annual normal: 3,493 GDD (NOAA flag R, 10 years). Running total by the end of each month (sum of NOAA daily GDD normals, so the year-end total can differ slightly from the annual normal):

What growing zone is Omaha? (USDA 2023)

Omaha is in USDA zone 5b–6a on the 2023 map, which means an average coldest winter night of -15 to -5°F. Most of the city was 5b on the 2012 map, and 29 of 32 city ZIPs found in both tables moved up half a zone.

Zones: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed 2026-10-08. Shown as published in the ZIP tables; this page does not show a zone map. Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).

Does the new zone change Omaha's frost dates?

No. A hardiness zone reflects only the average coldest winter temperature, not the timing of spring or fall frost. Omaha's frost dates come from NOAA's 1991–2020 frost probabilities, and the 2023 zone map didn't change them. Pick perennials that survive winter by zone; time your planting by frost dates.

Why do Omaha frost dates differ between websites?

You may see Apr 25 given as Omaha's last frost date. That's the 30%-risk date, meaning about 3 years in 10 still have a 32°F night after it. Our headline date is Apr 16, the 50% (median) date.

May 6 is the 10%-risk, or 'safer', date. Only about 1 year in 10 has a 32°F night after it.

May 2 is the 50% date for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants), not a 32°F freeze. Sites that treat 36°F as the danger line show later dates.

Station choice is another reason dates differ. Our 10 qualifying stations within 25 miles of the city center range from Apr 15 to Apr 25 for the typical (50%) last 32°F frost (table below).

Which weather station is this based on?

Station

Omaha #1 (NOAA USW00094918, WBAN/ASOS-AWOS)

Distance

6.5 mi NNE of the city center

Elevation

1,280 ft; city center 1,164 ft (USGS), difference +116 ft

Record

NOAA completeness flag R, 11 of 30 years (1991–2020)

Confidence

Medium (rule)

Confidence: Medium. The station passes our quality rules, but it's farther away or at a different elevation than ideal (6.5 mi, +116 ft; NOAA flag R, 11 of 30 years).

Note: NOAA rates this station's frost statistics 'R' (representative). That means they use 11 of the 30 years in 1991–2020, with missing months filled in from surrounding stations. For comparison, the nearest station with a full 'S' (standard) record, Omaha Eppley Airfield (8.7 mi away), has a typical last frost of Apr 18.

Omaha planting dates at a glance

Balanced dates use the 30%-risk last-frost date as the anchor. The Omaha planting calendar has typical and safe dates, fall planting and a month-by-month list for 26 vegetables.

When to plant tomatoes in Omaha · Fall planting dates for Omaha

Frost dates near Omaha

All Nebraska cities

Frequently asked questions

What is the average last frost date in Omaha?

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals at Omaha #1, Omaha's typical last 32°F night is Apr 16. That's the median (50%) date. For a safer target, go with May 6, after which a freeze comes in only about 1 year in 10.

When is the first frost in Omaha?

Expect the first 32°F night by Oct 18 in a typical year, and as early as Oct 2 in about 1 year out of 10. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Oct 9.

What growing zone is Omaha, Nebraska? Is Omaha zone 5 or 6?

Zone 5b–6a (zone 5–6 for short) is Omaha's USDA hardiness zone on the 2023 map. Most of the city was 5b on the older 2012 map, so you'll still find 'zone 5' in older references.

Is it too early to plant in Omaha?

Before Apr 16, yes, for anything frost-tender. Until then, the odds of another 32°F night are better than even. The risk falls from 50% to 10% between Apr 16 and May 6. Peas, lettuce and other cool-season crops can go in weeks earlier; the planting calendar has dates.

What temperature is a killing frost?

It depends on the crop. Tender plants such as tomatoes are killed by a light frost, which CSU Extension describes as 28–32°F; below 28°F is a heavy frost. We show NOAA odds for 36°F (frost possible on plants), 32°F (freeze, our headline) and 28°F (hard freeze).

Is first frost the same as first freeze?

Not quite. A freeze is when the air reaches 32°F. Frost is ice that forms on surfaces, and on calm, clear nights it can form with the air a few degrees above freezing. So in Omaha, the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Oct 9, before the first 32°F night (Oct 18).

Download & sources

• Add Omaha frost & planting dates to your calendar (.ics, 2027)
• Printable planting calendar (PDF)
• How these numbers are calculated

Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal and daily normals, station USW00094918); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone ZIP tables 2023 and 2012 by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; Census 2020 ZIP/place relationship file; USGS elevation. Long-term odds, not a forecast. Figures and sentences are generated from these data by fixed rules; see the methodology. Last updated 2026-10-08.