Frost dates for 62446Mount Erie, IL
The average last spring frost in Mount Erie is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 27 · Apr 11 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mount Erie
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62446 is matched to the NOAA station Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL, 18.3 km away, at 430 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL (used) | 430 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 26 |
| Albion, IL | 530 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Olney 2S, IL | 459 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Flora, IL | 481 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Mount Erie
- Parkersburg, IL 62452 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Golden Gate, IL 62843 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
- West Salem, IL 62476 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Ellery, IL 62833 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
- Cisne, IL 62823 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
- Geff, IL 62842 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
- Clay City, IL 62824 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Fairfield, IL 62837 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mount Erie, IL?
- For ZIP code 62446, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Mount Erie, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62446?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.