Frost dates for 61801Urbana, IL
The average last spring frost in Urbana is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Urbana
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61801 is matched to the NOAA station Champaign 3S, IL, 4.2 km away, at 721 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign 3S, IL (used) | 721 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Champaign Willard Ap, IL | 754 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
| Champaign 9 Sw, IL | 700 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
| Ogden, IL | 675 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Urbana
- Urbana, IL 61803 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Champaign, IL 61820 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Savoy, IL 61874 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Philo, IL 61864 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Saint Joseph, IL 61873 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Bondville, IL 61815 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Thomasboro, IL 61878 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Tolono, IL 61880 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Urbana, IL?
- For ZIP code 61801, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Champaign 3S, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Urbana, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61801?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.