Last frost date in North Chicago, IL
The average last frost in North Chicago is April 30. By May 14 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 170 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 30 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 14
- Average first frost
- Oct 19
- Frost-free season
- 170 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 20
No frost in the next 7 nights
Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 19.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2248°
- FriOct 2349°
- SatOct 2452°
- SunOct 2553°
- MonOct 2650°
- TueOct 2747°
- WedOct 2848°
Planting calendar for North Chicago
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Illinois.
TomatoesMay 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Tulip bulbsOct 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 15 | Apr 30 | May 14 | Sep 30 | Oct 19 | Nov 3 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Apr 5 | Apr 20 | May 3 | Oct 12 | Oct 30 | Nov 13 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Waukegan (USC00119029) sits 2.5 miles from the center of North Chicago at 700 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in North Chicago, IL?
The average last frost date in North Chicago is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 14.
When is the first frost in North Chicago?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before September 30.
How long is the growing season in North Chicago?
About 170 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in North Chicago?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Illinois
- WaukeganApr 30
- GurneeApr 30
- LibertyvilleApr 29
- Vernon HillsApr 29
- MundeleinApr 29
- GrayslakeApr 29
- Highland ParkApr 26
- ZionApr 30
- Buffalo GroveApr 19
- Round Lake BeachApr 24
- NorthbrookApr 26
- WheelingApr 19