Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 54896 — Winter, WI

ZIP code 54896 (Winter, Sawyer County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 54896 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 19

First frostSep 27

2012 zone3b

Was 3b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Winter, 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 Winter, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Winter, WI — 6 miles away, elevation 1,355 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 54896

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16

BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 54896 came on Apr 20 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 20

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 4a in Wisconsin

419 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Winter, WI.

Soil in Winter, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54896 is Magnor — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter8%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Magnor, very stony and Magnor silt loams, 0 to 4 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 54896; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winter, WI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,864base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 44 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall57 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winter, WI (6 mi away); precipitation: Winter, WI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

Glen Flora, WI · 19 mi

Clam Lake, WI · 22 mi

548484a

Ladysmith, WI · 23 mi

545374a

Kennan, WI · 23 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54896

What planting zone is ZIP code 54896?

ZIP code 54896 (Winter, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Winter, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54896 is May 19; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winter station.

When is the first frost in Winter, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54896 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54896?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54896 get?

About 35.2 inches of precipitation a year and 57 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winter station).

How hot do summers get in Winter, WI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54896 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Magnor at the center of ZIP 54896: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Winter, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54896 came on Apr 20 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Winter, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54896 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54896 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54896 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.