Frost dates for 62960Metropolis, IL
The average last spring frost in Metropolis is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (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 3 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 27 · Apr 11 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Metropolis
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62960 is matched to the NOAA station Brookport Dam 52, IL, 8.3 km away, at 330 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookport Dam 52, IL (used) | 330 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 27 |
| Paducah, KY | 392 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
| W Paducah 2W, KY | 413 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 27 |
| Smithland L&D, IL | 357 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Metropolis
- West Paducah, KY 42086 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Paducah, KY 42002 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Joppa, IL 62953 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Kevil, KY 42053 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Brookport, IL 62910 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Bandana, KY 42022 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
- Grantsburg, IL 62943 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- La Center, KY 42056 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Metropolis, IL?
- For ZIP code 62960, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brookport Dam 52, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Metropolis, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62960?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.