Frost dates for 62824Clay City, IL
The average last spring frost in Clay City is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 8 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clay City
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62824 is matched to the NOAA station Flora, IL, 11.2 km away, at 481 ft elevation (37 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flora, IL (used) | 481 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| Flora 5 Nw, IL | 500 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 23 |
| Olney 2S, IL | 459 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL | 430 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Clay City
- Sailor Springs, IL 62879 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Flora, IL 62839 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Noble, IL 62868 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Rinard, IL 62878 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Louisville, IL 62858 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Ingraham, IL 62434 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Cisne, IL 62823 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
- Mount Erie, IL 62446 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clay City, IL?
- For ZIP code 62824, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Flora, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Clay City, 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 62824?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.