Frost dates for 63401Hannibal, MO
The average last spring frost in Hannibal is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 6 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hannibal
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 7 |
| 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 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 7 |
| 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) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63401 is matched to the NOAA station Hannibal Wtr Wks, MO, 2 km away, at 712 ft elevation (89 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal Wtr Wks, MO (used) | 712 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Saverton L&D 22, MO | 472 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| Quincy Dam 21, IL | 483 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Monroe City, MO | 741 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Hannibal
- Saverton, MO 63467 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- New London, MO 63459 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Hull, IL 62343 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Payson, IL 62360 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Palmyra, MO 63461 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Kinderhook, IL 62345 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Plainville, IL 62365 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Ashburn, MO 63433 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hannibal, MO?
- For ZIP code 63401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hannibal Wtr Wks, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Hannibal, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. 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 63401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.