Frost dates for 60624Chicago, IL
The average last spring frost in Chicago is April 10 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 14 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chicago
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60624 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Northerly Is, IL, 9.7 km away, at 583 ft elevation (21 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Northerly Is, IL (used) | 583 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| Chicago Midway Ap, IL | 612 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
| Chicago Midway Ap 3Sw, IL | 620 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Chicago Ohare Intl Ap, IL | 658 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Chicago
- Chicago, IL 60651 · last Apr 10, first Nov 5
- Oak Park, IL 60303 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Cicero, IL 60804 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Forest Park, IL 60130 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Berwyn, IL 60402 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- River Forest, IL 60305 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Oak Lawn, IL 60454 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Bedford Park, IL 60499 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chicago, IL?
- For ZIP code 60624, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chicago Northerly Is, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Chicago, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60624?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.