Frost Dates for Forest City, IA

Based on data from Forest City 2 Nne weather station, 2 miles away

Elevation: 1257 ft

Frost Dates

Last Spring Frost (50%) iA 50% chance that the last spring frost has already passed by this date. Most gardeners use this as their primary planting guide. April 30
First Fall Frost (50%) iA 50% chance that the first fall frost has occurred by this date. Plan to harvest or protect tender plants before this date. October 7
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

30% Probability iOnly 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 4
First Fall Frost October 1

Hard Freeze (28°F)

Last Spring Hard Freeze April 18
First Fall Hard Freeze October 18
43.26°N, -93.64°W © OpenStreetMap

Growing Season

160 Days April 30 to October 7

USDA Hardiness Zone iHardiness 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 (−29 to −26°C)

Learn more

Köppen Climate iThe Köppen climate classification system categorizes climates based on temperature and precipitation patterns.

Dfa Hot-Summer Continental

Hot summers and cold winters with year-round precipitation. Moderate growing season supports warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and corn. Winter protection extends the harvest.

Temperature

30° 60° 90°
14°
High: 23°F
Avg: 14°F
Low: 6°F
Jan
18°
High: 27°F
Avg: 18°F
Low: 10°F
Feb
31°
High: 40°F
Avg: 31°F
Low: 23°F
Mar
45°
High: 56°F
Avg: 45°F
Low: 34°F
Apr
58°
High: 69°F
Avg: 58°F
Low: 47°F
May
68°
High: 78°F
Avg: 68°F
Low: 58°F
Jun
71°
High: 81°F
Avg: 71°F
Low: 62°F
Jul
69°
High: 79°F
Avg: 69°F
Low: 59°F
Aug
62°
High: 73°F
Avg: 62°F
Low: 50°F
Sep
48°
High: 60°F
Avg: 48°F
Low: 37°F
Oct
33°
High: 43°F
Avg: 33°F
Low: 24°F
Nov
21°
High: 29°F
Avg: 21°F
Low: 13°F
Dec
32°F
28°F
Avg High Avg Temp Avg Low Light Frost (32°F) Hard Frost (28°F)

Precipitation

0" 2" 4" 6" 7.1"
2.1"
2.15"
Jan
2.6"
2.58"
Feb
4.3"
4.35"
Mar
6.1"
6.13"
Apr
5.4"
5.37"
May
6.4"
6.43"
Jun
7.1"
7.11"
Jul
6.2"
6.22"
Aug
5.1"
5.08"
Sep
3.6"
3.59"
Oct
3.0"
3.00"
Nov
2.8"
2.84"
Dec

Sunrise / Sunset

4a7a10a1p4p7p10pNoonJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec9h10.5h11.5h13h14.5h15h15h14h12.5h11h9.5h9h
Jan: 7:50 AM – 4:58 PM · 9h 08m
Feb: 7:21 AM – 5:38 PM · 10h 17m
Mar: 7:35 AM – 7:14 PM · 11h 39m
Apr: 6:39 AM – 7:51 PM · 13h 12m
May: 5:56 AM – 8:26 PM · 14h 30m
Jun: 5:39 AM – 8:51 PM · 15h 12m
Jul: 5:53 AM – 8:47 PM · 14h 54m
Aug: 6:25 AM – 8:12 PM · 13h 47m
Sep: 7:01 AM – 7:17 PM · 12h 17m
Oct: 7:36 AM – 6:23 PM · 10h 47m
Nov: 7:16 AM – 4:43 PM · 9h 27m
Dec: 7:46 AM – 4:34 PM · 8h 48m
Daylight Central Time (CT) Longest: 15h 13m · Shortest: 8h 47m

Nearby Stations

Plan Your Garden with Planter

Now that you know your frost dates, use Planter to plan your veggie garden! Planter is an easy drag-and-drop garden planner with personalized planting schedules.

Try Planter For Free

Available everywhere: iOS, Android, web, and more!

Planter app garden planner preview