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Will it freeze in East Chicago in the next 7 nights?
No overnight lows at or below 32°F are forecast in East Chicago during the next 7 nights in the available NWS frost forecast.
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.
No nights at or below 36°F in the National Weather Service forecast for the next 7 nights.
- Tonight 42°F Above 36°F · Rain Showers then Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 39°F Above 36°F · Mostly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 37°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 39°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 44°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 42°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Wed, Nov 11 42°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
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 East Chicago
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 30, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Park Forest. 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 20 · May 5 · May 24 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 157 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 179 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 15 | 202 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Park Forest
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 East Chicago, IN come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Park Forest (station USC00116616, elevation 710 ft), 16 mi from East Chicago. 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 East Chicago
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond, IN | 3.1 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Calumet City, IL | 5.6 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Gary, IN | 6.8 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
| Highland, IN | 6.8 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Munster, IN | 7.5 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Lansing, IL | 7.5 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Dolton, IL | 7.5 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Griffith, IN | 8.7 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| South Holland, IL | 8.7 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Riverdale, IL | 9.3 mi | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in East Chicago?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in East Chicago is around April 23. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 11, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 9.
When is the first frost in East Chicago?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 20. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 6 and a 90% chance by November 1.
Can it frost in East Chicago 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 May 5.
What growing zone is East Chicago?
East Chicago 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 46312. See growing zones in Indiana.
More: all Indiana frost dates · Indiana growing zones · UV index today in East Chicago · frost vs. freeze