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NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals

Rhode Island Frost & Thaw Dates by Municipality

Spring thaw windows, autumn freeze benchmarks, and USDA zones across all 39 Ocean State towns.

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Green robot examining freeze thermometer in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 3-Zone Microclimate Belts

Rhode Island is small, but its ocean proximity and elevation gradients split the state into three distinct growing and freeze zones:

ZONE 7A • COASTAL Aquidneck & South Coast 202-Day Season • Thaw: Apr 10 • Newport, Jamestown, Bristol, Warren • Narragansett Bay thermal heat buffer • First freeze delayed until Nov 3–5 • Coastal salt spray requires summer rinse ZONE 7A • METRO Providence Basin & Kent 199-Day Season • Thaw: Apr 11 • Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Warwick • Urban heat island + Blackstone corridor • First freeze: Oct 30 • Standard weekly cutting: Apr 20 – Nov 1 ZONE 6B • UPLANDS Northwest Hills & Forests 160-Day Season • Thaw: Apr 28 • Burrillville, Foster, Glocester, Exeter • Higher elevation (Jerimoth Hill 812 ft) • First freeze: Oct 8–10 (3 wks earlier!) • Shorter season, higher frost vulnerability

30-Year NOAA Climate Normals for All 39 Rhode Island Municipalities

Rhode Island's proximity to Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean creates pronounced microclimates. Inland northwest towns average 160 growing days, while coastal and island towns enjoy up to 219 days.

MunicipalityCountyUSDA ZoneSpring Thaw (32°F)First Fall FreezeSeason LengthMicroclimate Profile
Providence Providence 7a Apr 11 Oct 30 199 days Urban Basin
Pawtucket Providence 7a Apr 11 Oct 30 199 days Blackstone Valley
Cranston Providence 7a Apr 11 Oct 30 199 days Pawtuxet Valley
Warwick Kent 7a Apr 11 Oct 30 199 days Central Bay Shore
East Providence Providence 7a Apr 12 Oct 29 198 days Seekonk River
Woonsocket Providence 6b Apr 25 Oct 12 168 days North Blackstone
Coventry Kent 6b Apr 22 Oct 16 175 days Central Interior
Cumberland Providence 6b Apr 24 Oct 14 171 days Diamond Hill
North Providence Providence 7a Apr 12 Oct 28 197 days Urban Basin
South Kingstown Washington 7a Apr 16 Oct 25 189 days Kingston / URI
West Warwick Kent 7a Apr 14 Oct 26 193 days Pawtuxet River
Johnston Providence 7a Apr 13 Oct 27 195 days Western Metro
North Kingstown Washington 7a Apr 14 Oct 27 194 days West Bay Shore
Newport Newport 7a Apr 10 Nov 05 202 days Aquidneck Coastal
Bristol Bristol 7a Apr 11 Nov 02 203 days East Bay Peninsula
Westerly Washington 7a Apr 13 Oct 31 198 days Pawcatuck / Ocean
Smithfield Providence 6b Apr 23 Oct 15 173 days Woonasquatucket
Lincoln Providence 7a Apr 13 Oct 27 195 days Blackstone Ridge
Central Falls Providence 7a Apr 11 Oct 30 199 days Urban River Basin
Portsmouth Newport 7a Apr 11 Nov 03 200 days Aquidneck Island
Barrington Bristol 7a Apr 11 Nov 01 202 days Barrington River
Middletown Newport 7a Apr 10 Nov 04 201 days Aquidneck Beaches
Tiverton Newport 7a Apr 12 Oct 30 199 days Sakonnet Coastal
East Greenwich Kent 7a Apr 13 Oct 28 196 days Greenwich Cove
Narragansett Washington 7a Apr 12 Nov 03 200 days Pier & Beaches
Warren Bristol 7a Apr 11 Nov 01 202 days Warren River Shore
Burrillville Providence 6b Apr 28 Oct 08 160 days Northwest Uplands
Glocester Providence 6b Apr 27 Oct 10 163 days Northwest Hills
Charlestown Washington 7a Apr 13 Oct 30 198 days Ninigret Coastal
Jamestown Newport 7a Apr 10 Nov 04 201 days Conanicut Island
Exeter Washington 6b Apr 23 Oct 15 173 days Arcadia Pine Woods
Foster Providence 6b Apr 28 Oct 09 161 days Jerimoth Upland
Hopkinton Washington 6b Apr 22 Oct 16 175 days Wood River Valley
Little Compton Newport 7a Apr 09 Nov 06 204 days Ocean Peninsula
New Shoreham Washington 7b Apr 05 Nov 12 219 days Block Island Maritime
North Smithfield Providence 6b Apr 26 Oct 11 166 days Blackstone Upland
Richmond Washington 6b Apr 22 Oct 17 176 days Beaver River Pine
Scituate Providence 6b Apr 25 Oct 12 168 days Reservoir Watershed
West Greenwich Kent 6b Apr 24 Oct 14 171 days Nooseneck Uplands

🛠️ Rhode Island Yard Guide & Helper Tool

Live 2026 Timing Engine

Select your Rhode Island municipality and target month to get local frost dates, environmental cutoffs, mower blade heights, and a step-by-step to-do checklist.

🌾 Seasonal Yard Index
8/10
Final Cleanup & Winterization
❄️ Town Climate & Freeze Dates
Zone 7a · 199 Days
Spring Thaw: Apr 11 · First Fall: Oct 30
⚖️ Environmental Alert & Cutoff
⚠️ Active Status
⚠️ Nov 15: Sprinkler system blowout hard-freeze deadline.
✂️ Recommended Mower Deck
2.5″ (Final Cut)
Typical Wind: 8 mph · Soil: Firm & cooling

📋 Checklist for November in Providence:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA plant hardiness zone is Rhode Island in?

Rhode Island spans USDA Zones 6b (interior northwest like Burrillville, Foster, Glocester) to 7a (Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Newport, and South County) and 7b (Block Island).

When is the last spring frost in Providence, RI?

Based on 30-year NOAA climate normals from T.F. Green Airport, Providence and Warwick experience their last freezing temperature (32°F) around April 11.

How much longer is the growing season on Aquidneck Island than northern RI?

Newport and Aquidneck Island average 202 growing season days (April 10 to November 5), which is 42 days longer than Burrillville’s 160-day season (April 28 to October 8).