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

Planting zone for 69365 — Whiteclay, NE

ZIP code 69365 (Whiteclay, Sheridan County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 69365 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 16
First frostSep 27
2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Whiteclay, NE…

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 Whiteclay, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 13
Growing season132 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Pine Ridge Airport, SD — 6 miles away, elevation 3,278 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 69365

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
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 16) 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 69365 came on Mar 6 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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).

Soil in Whiteclay, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69365 is Tassel — loamy very fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy very fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.7slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tassel-Ponderosa-Rock outcrop association, 9 to 70 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 69365; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whiteclay, NE

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights181nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,748base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation16.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 12 °F 37°12° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 14 °F 40°14° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 24 °F 51°24° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 47 °F 79°47° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 33 °F 63°33° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 21 °F 49°21° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 13 °F 38°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 2.08 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 2.12 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

577945a
Wounded Knee, SD · 12 mi
577705a
Pine Ridge, SD · 14 mi
693605a
Rushville, NE · 14 mi
577165a
Batesland, SD · 17 mi
577565a
Manderson, SD · 20 mi
577645a
Oglala, SD · 27 mi
693475a
Hay Springs, NE · 27 mi
693375a
Chadron, NE · 27 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69365

What planting zone is ZIP code 69365?

ZIP code 69365 (Whiteclay, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Whiteclay, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69365 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Ridge Airport station.

When is the first frost in Whiteclay, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69365 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 132 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69365?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69365 get?

About 16.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Ridge Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Whiteclay, NE?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69365 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tassel at the center of ZIP 69365: loamy very fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Whiteclay, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69365 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Whiteclay, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69365 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69365 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69365 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.