When is the last frost in Eau Claire, WI?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Eau Claire is around April 24, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Eau Claire 3sw, WI station (2.5 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Eau Claire?

The average first fall frost in Eau Claire, WI is around October 14, giving roughly a 170-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Eau Claire, WI?

Eau Claire is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -25 to -20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Eau Claire?

In Eau Claire, WI the warmest month is July (avg high 82.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 7.9°F). It averages about 32.8″ of precipitation a year and 54″ of snow.

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Eau Claire, WI Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 4b · ZIP 54701 · elevation 268′ · NOAA & USDA data

Eau Claire is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (winters can dip to -25 to -20°F), with a growing season of about 170 days between the average last spring frost (April 24) and first fall frost (October 14). The warmest month is July (avg high 82.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 7.9°F). It averages 32.8″ of precipitation a year and 54″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -25 to -20°F

Last spring frost

April 24

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 14

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

170 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 82.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Eau Claire

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Eau Claire 3sw, WI (2.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	24.5	7.9	16.2	1.1	10
February	28.7	11.7	20.2	1.1	13.5
March	41.6	23.9	32.8	1.9	8.3
April	56.4	35.9	46.2	3.3	4.5
May	69.3	48.6	59	4.1	0.5
June	77.8	58.2	68	4.5	0
July	82.3	62.1	72.2	3.7	0
August	79.9	61	70.5	3.8	0
September	71.8	51.7	61.7	3.5	0
October	58.2	39.7	48.9	2.5	0.8
November	41.8	26.9	34.3	1.8	3.3
December	29.7	14.8	22.3	1.4	13.1

What to plant when in Eau Claire

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 13 · Transplant out: May 1
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 27 · Transplant out: May 8
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 1
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 1
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 1
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 1
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 1
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 19
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 19
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 27 · Sow (fall): August 19
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 3 · Sow (fall): August 5
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 10
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 3 · Sow (fall): August 5
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 27
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 10
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 27 · Sow (fall): September 2

Dates are computed from Eau Claire's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Wisconsin

La Crosse, WI Wausau, WI Oshkosh, WI Madison, WI Appleton, WI Fond Du Lac, WI Green Bay, WI Janesville, WI

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Eau Claire 3sw, WI, 2.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Eau Claire 3sw, WI, 2.5 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.