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Will it freeze in Lancaster in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Sat, Nov 7: 32°F (Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 PM EST to Sun, Nov 8, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 44°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
6 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 44°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 35°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 32°F Freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 32°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 36°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 36°F Frost possible · 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 Lancaster
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is November 3, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Lancaster. 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 18 · May 1 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 161 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 9 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 183 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 27 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 207 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Lancaster
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 Lancaster, OH come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Lancaster (station USC00334403, elevation 827 ft), 0.7 mi from Lancaster. 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 Lancaster
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickerington, OH | 14 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Canal Winchester, OH | 14 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Logan, OH | 17 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Groveport, OH | 18 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Reynoldsburg, OH | 19 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 27 |
| Circleville, OH | 19 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 28 |
| Obetz, OH | 21 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Pataskala, OH | 21 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 27 |
| Heath, OH | 22 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| Whitehall, OH | 22 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 27 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Lancaster is around April 22. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 9, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 7.
When is the first frost in Lancaster?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 24. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 8 and a 90% chance by November 6.
Can it frost in Lancaster 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 1.
What growing zone is Lancaster?
Lancaster 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 43130. See growing zones in Ohio.
More: all Ohio frost dates · Ohio growing zones · UV index today in Lancaster · frost vs. freeze