Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Mason City, IL

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring

As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.

While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.

Key dates for your spring planting:

  • By May 14, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around April 30, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before April 21, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them

If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.

In the Spring
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Last 16° Mar 25 Mar 19 Mar 14 Mar 10 Mar 6 Mar 2 Feb 26 Feb 21 Feb 14
Last 20° Apr 5 Mar 30 Mar 26 Mar 23 Mar 20 Mar 17 Mar 13 Mar 9 Mar 4
Last 24° Apr 14 Apr 9 Apr 6 Apr 3 Apr 1 Mar 29 Mar 26 Mar 23 Mar 18
Last 28° Apr 19 Apr 15 Apr 12 Apr 10 Apr 8 Apr 6 Apr 3 Apr 1 Mar 28
Last 32° May 2 Apr 28 Apr 25 Apr 22 Apr 19 Apr 17 Apr 14 Apr 11 Apr 7
Last 36° May 14 May 9 May 6 May 3 Apr 30 Apr 28 Apr 25 Apr 21 Apr 17

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Mason City, IL, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.

The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:

1
Early warning: Around October 1, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By October 11, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By October 20, there's an 80% chance of seeing 32°F — most tender plants will be damaged without protection
4
Another perspective: You have only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past October 20 without a freezing night

These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.

In the Fall
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
First 16° Nov 8 Nov 14 Nov 19 Nov 22 Nov 26 Nov 29 Dec 3 Dec 7 Dec 14
First 20° Oct 30 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 12 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 22 Nov 26 Dec 2
First 24° Oct 19 Oct 24 Oct 28 Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 15 Nov 21
First 28° Oct 6 Oct 13 Oct 18 Oct 22 Oct 26 Oct 29 Nov 2 Nov 7 Nov 14
First 32° Sep 26 Oct 1 Oct 5 Oct 8 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 17 Oct 20 Oct 25
First 36° Sep 23 Sep 27 Sep 29 Oct 2 Oct 4 Oct 6 Oct 8 Oct 10 Oct 14

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

Or enter a new zipcode:

Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.