Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 54703 — Eau Claire, WI

ZIP code 54703 (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 54703 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostOct 4

2012 zone4b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Eau Claire, WI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Eau Claire, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Eau Claire Regional Airport, WI — 2 miles away, elevation 886 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 54703

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 4) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 54703 came on Apr 11 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 11

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 4b in Wisconsin

486 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Eau Claire, WI.

Soil in Eau Claire, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54703 is Elkmound — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Elkmound loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 54703; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eau Claire, WI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,513base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall55 inper year; 99 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eau Claire Regional Airport, WI (2 mi away); precipitation: Eau Claire Regional Airport, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

547024b

Eau Claire, WI · 2 mi

547204b

Altoona, WI · 5 mi

547014b

Eau Claire, WI · 6 mi

547394b

Elk Mound, WI · 9 mi

547744b

Chippewa Falls, WI · 9 mi

547294b

Chippewa Falls, WI · 10 mi

547644b

Rock Falls, WI · 12 mi

547424b

Fall Creek, WI · 13 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Eau Claire → · Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54703

What planting zone is ZIP code 54703?

ZIP code 54703 (Eau Claire, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Eau Claire, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54703 is May 8; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eau Claire Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Eau Claire, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54703 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54703?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54703 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year and 55 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eau Claire Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Eau Claire, WI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54703 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elkmound at the center of ZIP 54703: loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Eau Claire, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54703 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eau Claire, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54703 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).