Frost Dates for Alta, IA

Based on data from Storm Lake weather station, 5 miles away

Elevation: 1490 ft

Frost Dates

Last Spring Frost (50%) A 50% chance that the last spring frost has already passed by this date. Most gardeners use this as their primary planting guide. April 25
First Fall Frost (50%) A 50% chance that the first fall frost has occurred by this date. Plan to harvest or protect tender plants before this date. October 13

30% Probability

Only a 30% chance of frost remaining by this date. Use these dates for a safer planting window, especially for tender plants sensitive to cold.
Last Spring Frost May 1
First Fall Frost October 7

Hard Freeze (28°F)

Last Spring Hard Freeze April 15
First Fall Hard Freeze October 23
42.67°N, 95.29°W © OpenStreetMap

Growing Season

171 Days April 25 to October 13

USDA Hardiness Zone

Hardiness zones indicate which perennial plants can survive winter in your area. For annual vegetables, frost dates and growing season length matter more than hardiness zone.
Zone 5a

Avg. annual minimum: −20 to −15°F

Learn more

Köppen Climate

The Köppen climate classification system categorizes climates based on temperature and precipitation patterns.
Dwa Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter)

Hot, wet summers and cold, dry winters. Monsoon influence brings most rain in summer. Good for warm-season crops during the rainy season; winters are harsh but dry.

Köppen climate map

Temperature

Avg High Avg Temp Avg Low Light Frost (32°F) Hard Frost (28°F)
Temperature table
Average monthly temperatures (°F)
Month Avg High Avg Temp Avg Low
January26°17°9°
February30°22°13°
March43°34°25°
April58°48°37°
May69°59°49°
June79°70°60°
July82°73°64°
August80°71°61°
September74°63°53°
October61°50°40°
November44°35°27°
December31°23°15°

Precipitation

Precipitation table
Average monthly precipitation (inches)
MonthPrecipitation
January1.8
February1.6
March4.0
April6.0
May6.1
June7.0
July6.9
August7.3
September6.0
October4.5
November3.3
December2.7

Sunrise / Sunset

Daylight Central Time (CT) Longest: 15h 08m · Shortest: 8h 52m
Sunrise and sunset table
Sunrise, sunset, and daylight on the 15th of each month (Central Time (CT))
Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight
January7:54 AM5:06 PM9h 12m
February7:26 AM5:45 PM10h 19m
March7:41 AM7:20 PM11h 39m
April6:46 AM7:56 PM13h 10m
May6:04 AM8:30 PM14h 26m
June5:47 AM8:55 PM15h 07m
July6:01 AM8:52 PM14h 50m
August6:33 AM8:17 PM13h 44m
September7:07 AM7:23 PM12h 16m
October7:42 AM6:30 PM10h 48m
November7:21 AM4:51 PM9h 31m
December7:50 AM4:43 PM8h 53m

Nearby Stations

Sioux Rapids 4 E, IA April 30 - October 5 Cherokee, IAMay 4 - October 4 Sac City, IAApril 30 - October 6 Holstein, IAApril 30 - October 9 Ida Grove 5nw, IA April 27 - October 12 Battle Creek 3ne, IA May 1 - October 1

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