Spring 2026 Frost/Freeze Info (average/extreme last frost/freeze dates, etc)...Frost POSSIBLE Wed AM and/or Thurs AM (not a "sure thing")

** PLEASE NOTE: As of April 16th, NWS Hastings considers its entire 30-county forecast area  to be "eligible" for Frost Advisories/Freeze Warnings for the remainder of spring 2026 (please note that these Warnings/Advisories may not be issued in ALL circumstances, especially if potential frost/freeze conditions appear marginal in nature). 

General Overview of Spring Frost/Freeze Information: 
The mid-April through early-May time frame typically features the final occurrence of freezing temperatures and/or frost of the spring season within our 30-county forecast area of south central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Based on 30-year averages, the date of the AVERAGE last spring freeze (32°-or-colder) ranges from around April 18 in our far southeastern local communities (such as Beloit KS), to around April 24-29 in the Tri Cities (Grand Island/Hastings/Kearney), to around May 3-7 in our far northern and western communities (such as Greeley, Gothenburg and Cambridge). HOWEVER, after viewing the maps and tables contained in this story, it is readily apparent that the phrase "average last freeze date" is quite relative, as most sites exhibit a 5-9 week range between the earliest/latest last dates on record! 

Please refer to the wealth of information within the tabs below (including tables/maps of average last frost/freeze/hard freeze dates) to stay on top of the frost/freeze situation across our local area this spring. This includes the "Looking Ahead" section just below, which will highlight upcoming opportunities for frost/freeze within the next 7-10 days and also gives our insight as to when we believe the last frost/freeze of spring 2025 has most likely occurred. 

Looking Ahead 7 Days:  ** Frost POSSIBLE Wed AM (May 6) and/or Thurs AM (May 7)...BUT not a "sure thing"**
(updated May 3)

• May 4-5 (Sun night-Mon AM and Mon night-Tues AM):  At this time, there appears to be LITTLE concern for frost/freeze within our forecast area, as overnight low temperatures are forecast to bottom out no colder than upper 30s-mid 40s. 
   
• May 6-7 (Tues night-Wed AM and Wed night-Thurs AM):  Although there is still some uncertainty regarding just how cold it might get (will depend heavily on cloud cover, wind speed etc.), these are the two upcoming nights/mornings that hold the highest potential for POSSIBLE frost development in at least portions of our forecast area (not necessarily everywhere). As it currently stands, "worst case scenario" is for low temperatures to bottom out in the low-mid 30s...so a true hard/killing freeze of 28º or colder appears rather unlikely. 
   
• May 8-11 (Thurs night-Fri AM through Sun night-Mon AM):  At this time, there appears to be LITTLE concern for frost/freeze within our forecast area, as overnight low temperatures are forecast to bottom out mainly in the 40s.

Recapping Last Spring's (2025) Final Official Freeze:
- Spring 2025: For the majority of our 30-county forecast area, spring 2025 featured a relatively "normal" last freeze date, with most places observing their last freeze within 10 days of their 30-year average...but if anything...leaning slightly on the earlier-than-average side of things. More specifically, the majority of our forecast area observed its final official freeze (32º-or-colder) sometime between April 15-21, with a few far northern/western stations (such as Greeley/Gothenburg/Cambridge) managing to barely drop to the freezing mark a bit later on May 3 (still a very typical last freeze date for those locations). Accordingly, NWS Hastings issued its final Frost Advisory of spring 2025 valid for May 3rd. 

• Frost/Freeze Definitions
• Local/Regional Last Frost/Freeze Maps & Table
• Freeze Susceptibility Maps
• Spring First Leaf/Bloom Index Maps

 

Before continuing, here are a few definitions...

Frost Frost occurs when there is a solid deposition of water vapor from the air. Frost will form when solid surfaces are cooled below the dew point. An air temperature range of 33°- 36° (or colder), along with light winds, is usually needed to initiate frost formation. At least minor damage is possible to plants. Please note that frost is not guaranteed if the air is very dry and/or winds are roughly 8+ MPH.   The range of average dates for the LAST spring frost across across most of south central NE and north central KS is between May 1 - May 15 Freeze Freeze occurs when the temperature drops to 32°-or-lower. A freeze will damage many unprotected plants, especially if the temperature remains at-or-below freezing for several hours.   The range of average dates for the LAST spring freeze across most of south central NE and north central KS is between April 18 - May 7 Hard Freeze Hard freeze (per our local NWS definition) occurs when the temperature reaches 28°-or-lower. This usually means that most seasonal vegetation will be destroyed. In addition, there is a likelihood of damage to unprotected outdoor plumbing/un-drained sprinkler systems etc.    The range of average dates for the LAST spring hard freeze across across most of south central NE and north central KS is between April 9 - April 28

 

 

South Central Nebraska and North Central Kansas
Average of Most Recent 30 Years Last Frost/Freeze Dates (1996-2025)
(click images to enlarge)

Average Last 36° Date (Last Spring Frost) 1996-2025	Average Last 32° Date (Last Spring Freeze) 1996-2025	Average Last 28° Date (Last Spring Hard Freeze) 1996-2025

 

Median Dates of Last Spring Freeze & Hard Freeze (1991-2020)
(Midwestern Regional Climate Center)

Median Date of Last Spring 32° Freeze	Median Date of Last Spring 28° Hard Freeze

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Below is a table focused on the average dates for reaching particular frost/freeze temperature thresholds. Keep in mind, there is often tremendous variation from year-to-year and between any given location across our area!

Explanation of the table below:

• The first column lists 10 locations in south central Nebraska and 3 in north central Kansas with long histories of being NWS Cooperative Observer sites (except for Grand Island and Hastings airports, which are automated systems). This is just a small sampling of dozens of official weather stations within the NWS Hastings forecast area, and these sites are generally organized down the column from north-to south. 
   
• The second column shows the average date of the LATEST SPRING OBSERVANCE of 28°, 32° and 36° temperatures during the most recent 30-year period from 1996-2025.
   
• The third and fourth columns reveal the earliest last freeze date and latest last freeze date (32° or colder) over the last 30 years. It is readily apparent that the phrase "average last freeze date" is quite relative, as most sites feature a 5-9 week difference between the earliest and latest dates! For some of these locations, the incredibly-early last freeze of spring 2012 (between March 9-11) was among the earliest on record. On the opposite spectrum, for several places the latest freeze of the last 30 years occurred in mid-May 2014. 
   
• The final column is a recap of LAST SPRING (2025), showing the last dates that 28°, 32° and 36° were observed. A blue-shaded date indicates that the last spring frost/freeze/hard freeze of 2024 occurred at least 10 days LATER than the 30-year average, while red-shaded dates indicate a last spring frost/freeze/hard freeze that was at least 10 days EARLIER than the 30-year average. 

Spring Frost/Freeze Data For South Central Nebraska + North Central Kansas
(*averages from most recent 30 years 1996-2025)

	Avg Last Spring Date: 28° or Colder 32° or Colder 36° or Colder	1996-2025 Earliest Last Date: 32° Or Colder	1996-2025 Latest Last Date: 32° Or Colder	Last Year's (2025)   Last Occurrence: 28° Or Colder 32° Or Colder 36° Or Colder
Greeley	April 28 May 7 May 14	April 16, 2007	May 23, 2022	April 22 (26º) May 3 (32º) May 5 (36º)
Osceola	April 13 April 26 May 3	April 9, 2003	May 15, 2014	April 7 (28º) April 20 (31º)    April 20 (31º)
Gothenburg	April 20 May 3 May 15	April 11, 2012	May 25, 2002	April 20 (28º) May 3 (32º) May 3 (32º)
Kearney Airport (NWS Observer)	April 18 April 29 May 9	April 10, 2003	May 18, 2014	April 20 (27º) April 20 (27º) May 4 (34º)
Grand Island (airport)	April 14 April 25 May 6	April 9, 2003	May 17, 2014	April 19 (27º) April 21 (32º) May 3 (36º)
Holdrege	April 18 May 1 May 8	April 10, 2003	May 17, 2011	April 20 (25º) April 20 (25º) May 4 (35º)
Hastings (airport)	April 13 April 24 May 4	March 9, 2012	May 17, 2014	April 19 (25º) April 19 (25º) May 3 (35º)
Clay Center, NE	April 12 April 23 May 3	March 11, 2012	May 23, 2022	April 19 (28º) April 20 (30º) April 22 (33º)
Cambridge	April 21 May 5 May 14	April 16, 2007	May 21, 2015	April 20 (23º) May 4 (31º) May 4 (31º)
Hebron	April 14 April 23 May 4	March 11, 2012	May 16, 2014	April 9 (25º) April 12 (31º) April 20 (35º)
Smith Center, KS	April 10 April 19 May 1	March 10, 2012	May 11, 2020	April 8 (28º) April 19 (32º) April 22 (33º)
Plainville, KS	April 11 April 20 May 3	March 10, 2012	May 12, 2008	April 16 (28º) April 19 (32º) April 21 (35º)
Beloit, KS	April 9 April 18 May 1	March 11, 2012	May 4, 2004	April 6 (25º) April 15 (32º) April 16 (36º)

* NOTE: 10 or fewer missing days of annual data allowed for averages

 

The Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC) produces maps that update DAILY, depicting the most recent date that sites across the region that have fallen to at least 32° or 28° this spring. 


                                                                                                            (click images to enlarge Nebraska and Kansas maps)

KS: Most Recent  32° or Below this spring (dots)	NE: Most Recent  32° or Below this spring (dots)
KS: Most Recent  28° or Below this spring (dots)	NE: Most Recent  28° or Below this spring (dots)

 

The USA-National Phenology Network (NPN) produces several maps that update DAILY, depicting the progression of particular types of spring vegetation across the nation, and how it compares to long-term averages. See their web page for much more detail and information, but the two maps highlighted below depict First Leaf Index Anomaly and First Bloom Index Anomaly. In short, this means they show the current status of some types of spring vegetation (first leaf-out or first-flowering) compared to long-term averages, giving an idea of whether spring is "ahead" of or "behind" schedule. 

                                                                (click images to enlarge)

Spring Leaf Index Anomaly	Spring Bloom Index Anomaly