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Will it freeze in Albert Lea in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Tonight: 32°F (Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST).
Tonight: forecast low 32°F. Freeze.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST.
6 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 32°F Freeze · Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
- Fri, Nov 6 25°F Hard freeze · Areas Of Fog
- Sat, Nov 7 33°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Cloudy
- Wed, Nov 11 37°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 Albert Lea
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 19, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Albert Lea 3SE. 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 24 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 147 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 164 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 186 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Albert Lea 3SE
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 Albert Lea, MN come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Albert Lea 3SE (station USC00210075, elevation 1,230 ft), 4.5 mi from Albert Lea. 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 Albert Lea
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, MN | 19 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Waseca, MN | 30 mi | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Owatonna, MN | 31 mi | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Clear Lake, IA | 36 mi | May 3 | Oct 1 |
| Mason City, IA | 36 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 7 |
| Kasson, MN | 40 mi | May 12 | Sep 28 |
| Byron, MN | 45 mi | May 12 | Sep 28 |
| Faribault, MN | 45 mi | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Stewartville, MN | 46 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Mankato, MN | 47 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Albert Lea?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Albert Lea is around April 27. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 10, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 12.
When is the first frost in Albert Lea?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 9. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 26 and a 90% chance by October 23.
Can it frost in Albert Lea 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 7.
What growing zone is Albert Lea?
Albert Lea is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average annual extreme minimum temperature −20 to −15°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 56007. See growing zones in Minnesota.
More: all Minnesota frost dates · Minnesota growing zones · frost vs. freeze