Going back to 1881, the average last 32 degree temperature in Fargo Moorhead is May 13. Over the past 30 years, the average has shifted to May 8.
But before you plant all your pansies and posies, consider how cold it has been the past couple of weeks. After all, an average is just the middle of a period of record and should only vaguely represent expectations. In the past, freezing weather has been recorded in Fargo Moorhead as late as June 20, in 1969. Temperatures into the 30s (38) have happened as late as June 28, in 1895.
Recently, in about one year in four, there is no frost after April. Even though the warming climate is causing a shift in the average last frost date, any given year could still bring a frost well past the average. A gardener has to guess and hope for the best.
