Your nature year
Jackson, Michiganthrough the year
When do frost, green-up and fall color come to Jackson?
We follow 3 places within 150 miles of Jackson; the nearest lies 76 miles to the southeast. The closest place we follow is Ottawa Refuge, 76 miles away, for spring migration, late April to mid-May (local timing).
Ottawa Refuge (76 mi) is the pick for winter wildlife, waterfowl numbers peak in October (usually). Expect about 166 frost-free days in Jackson: the last spring frost usually comes around May 1, the first fall one around Oct 14, going by NOAA's Jackson Reynolds Fld station 3 miles away. Spring green-up reaches town around Apr 9, with first blooms around May 9.
Updated Sep 27. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Near Jackson right now
- First fall frost usually around Oct 14 · last spring frost around May 1NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jackson Reynolds Fld (3 mi, 50% dates)~2 weeks
- Shiawassee Refuge · 78 mi · Local timing: September and October are the best months for fall migratory birdsWinter wildlife · in its window now
- Fall foliage · Shiawassee Refuge · 78 miUsually: usually the second or third week of October~8 days
Your guide around Jackson
Nearby, season by season
Fall foliage
- Shiawassee Refuge · 78 miUsually: usually the second or third week of October~8 days
- Indiana Dunes · 144 miusually around mid-October~11 days
Spring migration
- Ottawa Refuge · 76 miLocal timing: late April to mid-May~7 months
- Shiawassee Refuge · 78 miLocal timing: April and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds~6 months
Wildflowers
- Indiana Dunes · 144 miUsually: Most years, the wildflowers peak from late April through mid-May~7 months
Winter wildlife
- Ottawa Refuge · 76 miUsually: waterfowl numbers peak in October~1 day
- Shiawassee Refuge · 78 miLocal timing: September and October are the best months for fall migratory birds
Jackson's nature year
- Spring migration · Ottawa RefugeApr–May
- Wildflowers · Indiana DunesApr–May
- Apr: Spring green-upApr
- May: Last spring frostMay
- Oct: First fall frostOct
- Oct: Fall foliage · Shiawassee RefugeOct
- Oct: Winter wildlife · Ottawa RefugeOct
Jackson's year at a glance
- Frost possible
- Frost-free, ~May 1 to ~Oct 14
- First leaf ~Apr 9
- First bloom ~May 9
- Today
Frost and green-up
Last spring frost
May 1
Average (50% date)
First fall frost
Oct 14
About 166 days without frost between
Spring green-up
Apr 9
First bloom around May 9
Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Jackson Reynolds Fld (3 mi from Jackson), the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not. Green-up: the USA-NPN Spring Index, 1991–2020 average at the town.
Questions people ask
When is the first frost in Jackson?
On average around Oct 14, and the last spring frost around May 1: about 166 days without frost between. These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals at Jackson Reynolds Fld, 3 miles away (the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not).
When does spring green-up reach Jackson?
The USA-NPN Spring Index puts first leaf around Apr 9 and first bloom around May 9, on average for 1991–2020 at the town.
Where can I see fall foliage near Jackson?
Shiawassee Refuge, 78 miles (usually: usually the second or third week of October); Indiana Dunes, 144 miles (usually around mid-October). Distances are straight-line.
Where can I see spring migration near Jackson?
Ottawa Refuge, 76 miles (local timing: late April to mid-May); Shiawassee Refuge, 78 miles (local timing: April and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds). Distances are straight-line.
How we know
US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)