First and last frost dates for US locationsNOAA climate normals · 1991–2020
USFrostDates
NOAA 1991–2020 CLIMATE NORMALS

First and last frost dates

Search by city or ZIP code to find historical spring and fall freeze dates. Compare risk levels and calculate when to start seeds.

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Potting soil, a garden trowel and planting pots on a gardener’s workbench
NOAA
1991–2020
Chicago, ILMEDIAN FREEZE DATES
LAST SPRING FREEZEApr 10
209 growing days*
FIRST FALL FREEZENov 5
JANAPRJULOCTDEC
*Interval between historical median 32°F freezes.
8,227 local guides3,868 stations · 50 states & districts
30 years of observations1991–2020 climate normals
Three risk levels10%, 30% and 50% probabilities

Frost dates by state

Select a state to compare last spring and first fall freeze dates for the cities we cover.

Explore all locations
TYPICAL LAST SPRING FREEZE
Earlier in the yearLater in the year

Map colors summarize the selected stations in each state. Your local dates may differ.

Alabama — 137 locationsALAlaska — 55 locationsAKArizona — 112 locationsAZColorado — 59 locationsCOFlorida — 84 locationsFLGeorgia — 169 locationsGAIndiana — 153 locationsINKansas — 99 locationsKSMaine — 178 locationsMEMassachusetts — 237 locationsMinnesota — 223 locationsMNNew Jersey — 194 locationsNorth Carolina — 257 locationsNCNorth Dakota — 47 locationsNDOklahoma — 145 locationsOKPennsylvania — 660 locationsPASouth Dakota — 45 locationsSDTexas — 455 locationsTXWyoming — 30 locationsWYConnecticut — 73 locationsMissouri — 149 locationsMOWest Virginia — 132 locationsWVIllinois — 269 locationsILNew Mexico — 70 locationsNMArkansas — 125 locationsARCalifornia — 396 locationsCADelaware — 29 locationsDistrict of Columbia — 43 locationsHawaii — no qualifying locationsIowa — 194 locationsIAKentucky — 150 locationsKYMaryland — 175 locationsMichigan — 320 locationsMIMississippi — 119 locationsMSMontana — 60 locationsMTNew Hampshire — 104 locationsNHNew York — 476 locationsNYOhio — 368 locationsOHOregon — 122 locationsORTennessee — 181 locationsTNUtah — 114 locationsUTVirginia — 189 locationsVAWashington — 215 locationsWAWisconsin — 299 locationsWIAmerican Samoa — no qualifying locationsGuam — no qualifying locationsCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — no qualifying locationsNebraska — 83 locationsNESouth Carolina — 123 locationsSCPuerto Rico — no qualifying locationsUnited States Virgin Islands — no qualifying locationsIdaho — 61 locationsIDNevada — 42 locationsNVVermont — 54 locationsVTLouisiana — 129 locationsLARhode Island — 24 locationsSelect a state to view frost dates

Frost dates for US cities

All locations
Illinois

Chicago

Last spring freezeApr 10First fall freezeNov 5
209 days between median freezesMassachusetts

Boston

Last spring freezeApr 4First fall freezeNov 9
219 days between median freezesNew York

New York City

Last spring freezeMar 30First fall freezeNov 20
235 days between median freezesMaine

Portland

Last spring freezeApr 26First fall freezeOct 15
172 days between median freezes

Dates shown are historical medians at nearby weather stations, not this year’s forecast.

Seed starting and frost protection guides

All gardening guides
GUIDE / 01
FROST DATES

How to read frost dates and freeze probabilities

Understand the 10%, 30% and 50% freeze probabilities, temperature thresholds and local conditions behind a frost date.

Read the guide
GUIDE / 02
SEED STARTING

When to start seeds indoors

Work backwards from an outdoor planting date to plan your indoor seed-starting window.

Read the guide
GUIDE / 03
FROST PROTECTION

How to protect plants from frost

Check the forecast, cover vulnerable plants and move containers indoors before a cold night.

Read the guide

Calculate your seed-starting dates

Make a planting plan