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Will it freeze in Urbandale in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Fri, Nov 6: 29°F (Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 PM CST to Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 AM CST).
Tonight: forecast low 38°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST.
2 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 38°F Above 36°F · Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 29°F Freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Sun, Nov 8 39°F Above 36°F · Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 42°F Above 36°F · Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 40°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Wed, Nov 11 42°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.
Frost and freeze probabilities
Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.
These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.
Average first hard freeze in Urbandale
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 27, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.
| Temperature | Last spring date 90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze | First fall date 10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F frost possible | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 159 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 179 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston
Average low temperature by month
Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk
Where these frost dates come from
The frost dates for Urbandale, IA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston (station USC00132209, elevation 959 ft), 7.5 mi from Urbandale. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.
Frost dates near Urbandale
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clive, IA | 1.9 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Grimes, IA | 3.1 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 4.3 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Johnston, IA | 5.0 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 6.2 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Waukee, IA | 6.2 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.9 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Polk City, IA | 11 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Ankeny, IA | 11 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Urbandale?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Urbandale is around April 19. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 3, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 5.
When is the first frost in Urbandale?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 18. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 1 and a 90% chance by October 30.
Can it frost in Urbandale after the last frost date?
Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after April 30.
What growing zone is Urbandale?
Urbandale is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature −15 to −10°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 50325. See growing zones in Iowa.
More: all Iowa frost dates · Iowa growing zones · UV index today in Urbandale · frost vs. freeze