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Will it freeze in Worcester in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Wed, Nov 11: 30°F (Wed, Nov 11, 6:00 PM EST to Thu, Nov 12, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 60°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
3 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 60°F Above 36°F · Chance Light Rain
- Fri, Nov 6 54°F Above 36°F · Light Rain
- Sat, Nov 7 42°F Above 36°F · Light Rain Likely
- Sun, Nov 8 38°F Above 36°F · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 30°F Freeze · 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 Worcester
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is November 1, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Worcester Regional Airport. 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 23 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 158 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 181 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Apr 1 · Apr 11 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 205 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Worcester Regional Airport
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 Worcester, MA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Worcester Regional Airport (station USW00094746, elevation 1,000 ft), 3.4 mi from Worcester. 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 Worcester
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlborough, MA | 14 mi | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Leominster, MA | 17 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
| Southbridge, MA | 19 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
| Framingham, MA | 19 mi | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Fitchburg, MA | 23 mi | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Gardner, MA | 24 mi | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Franklin, MA | 24 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Woonsocket, RI | 24 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Palmer, MA | 26 mi | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| Waltham, MA | 30 mi | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Worcester?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Worcester is around April 23. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 5, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 11.
When is the first frost in Worcester?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 21. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 6 and a 90% chance by November 3.
Can it frost in Worcester 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 4.
What growing zone is Worcester?
Worcester 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 01608. See growing zones in Massachusetts.
More: all Massachusetts frost dates · Massachusetts growing zones · UV index today in Worcester · frost vs. freeze