Wainwright, AK frost dates

Gardening where frost is possible all year

The weather station nearest Wainwright, AK records freezing temperatures in every month often enough that NOAA cannot define a frost-free season. Gardening is still possible — it just means planning for frost at any time:

• Grow fast, cold-tolerant crops: Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Peas, Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Garlic.
• Plant once the soil can be worked — usually late spring to early summer at high elevation — and keep row covers ready for clear, still nights.
• Use season extension: cold frames, low tunnels, wall-of-water cloches or a greenhouse turn a few frost-free weeks into a real season.
• Frost-tender crops (tomatoes, squash, beans) need protection all season; choose the earliest varieties you can find.

About these dates

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Wainwright Ap, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).

Frost dates near Wainwright

• Atqasuk frost any month
• Barrow frost any month
• Nuiqsut frost any month
• Noatak Jun 10 · Sep 11
• Point Hope Jun 10 · Sep 11
• Kivalina Jun 10 · Sep 11
• Kiana Jun 5 · Sep 24
• Prudhoe Bay frost any month
• Noorvik Jun 5 · Sep 24
• Anaktuvuk Pass frost any month

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Wainwright, AK?

Wainwright, AK can freeze in any month, so there is no reliable last frost date. The nearest NOAA station averages 283 nights a year at or below 32°F.

What can I grow in Wainwright, AK?

Fast, cold-tolerant crops such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas and potatoes, ideally under row covers, cold frames or a greenhouse. Frost-tender crops like tomatoes need protection all season.