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Will it freeze in Springfield in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Fri, Nov 6: 31°F (Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 PM CST to Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 AM CST).
Tonight: forecast low 42°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST.
3 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 42°F Above 36°F · Chance Drizzle
- Fri, Nov 6 31°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Sat, Nov 7 33°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Sun, Nov 8 36°F Frost possible · Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 42°F Above 36°F · Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 41°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 41°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 Springfield
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is November 1, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Springfield #2. 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 13 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 23 | 167 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 3 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 188 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 210 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Springfield #2
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 Springfield, IL come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Springfield #2 (station USC00118186, elevation 599 ft), 1.7 mi from Springfield. 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 Springfield
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham, IL | 8.7 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Taylorville, IL | 24 mi | Apr 12 | Oct 20 |
| Lincoln, IL | 29 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 16 |
| Jacksonville, IL | 32 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| Carlinville, IL | 37 mi | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Decatur, IL | 38 mi | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| Pana, IL | 40 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Mount Zion, IL | 40 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Litchfield, IL | 42 mi | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Hillsboro, IL | 43 mi | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Springfield?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Springfield is around April 15. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after April 30, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 3.
When is the first frost in Springfield?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 22. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 9 and a 90% chance by November 2.
Can it frost in Springfield 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 27.
What growing zone is Springfield?
Springfield is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature −10 to −5°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 62701. See growing zones in Illinois.
More: all Illinois frost dates · Illinois growing zones · UV index today in Springfield · frost vs. freeze