Frost dates for Ankeny, IA
At Ankeny, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Oct 15, for a typical growing season of 173 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 6. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 5b.
- Apr 23Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 6Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 15First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 173 daysGrowing season (median)between 32°F freezes
Last spring frost dates
The chance that the temperature drops to the threshold after each date.
| Temperature | 90% chance later | 50% chance later | 10% chance later |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 19 | May 3 | May 16 |
| 32°F | Apr 8 | Apr 23 | May 6 |
| 28°F | Mar 31 | Apr 13 | Apr 27 |
| 24°F | Mar 17 | Apr 3 | Apr 19 |
First fall frost dates
The chance that the temperature has dropped to the threshold by each date.
| Temperature | 10% chance by | 50% chance by | 90% chance by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Sep 21 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | Sep 30 | Oct 15 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Oct 11 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
| 24°F | Oct 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 17 |
Growing season length
Days between the last spring and first fall freeze, as the length reached in 9, 5 and 1 out of 10 years.
| Temperature | 9 in 10 years at least | 5 in 10 years at least | 1 in 10 years at least |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | 136 days | 155 days | 173 days |
| 32°F | 154 days | 173 days | 193 days |
| 28°F | 173 days | 193 days | 214 days |
| 24°F | 190 days | 213 days | 234 days |
Chance of a freeze in any year
| Temperature | Chance per year |
|---|---|
| 36°F | 100% |
| 32°F | 100% |
| 28°F | 100% |
| 24°F | 100% |
ZIP codes whose closest station is this one
| ZIP | Hardiness zone | Avg. extreme low | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50023 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 2 km |
| 50021 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 7 km |
| 50313 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 9 km |
| 50007 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 9 km |
| 50032 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 12 km |
| 50073 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 12 km |
| 50244 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 13 km |
| 50035 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 16 km |
Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones shown here are the values published in the USDA-ARS / Oregon State University PRISM Group 2023 ZIP code tables, shown unaltered. For the official interactive map, visit planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
About this station
- NOAA station ID USC00130241, at 41.7322, -93.6500, elevation 297 m (975 ft).
- Data quality: Standard (24+ years of data), 27 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 150.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston (6 km)
- Des Moines Intl Airport (22 km)
- Ames 5 SE (25 km)
- Ames Muni Airport (29 km)
- Ames 8 WSW (34 km)
- Des Moines 17 E (36 km)
- Boone (40 km)
- Perry (40 km)
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal normals by station (version 1.0.1), file dated June 27, 2023; documentation.
- USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP code tables (CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico), files dated November 17, 2023. Data © PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 1, 2026. Official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer ZIP Code Tabulation Areas file, dated August 30, 2024 (ZIP centroids used to find the nearest station).
Freeze dates are 30-year probabilities, not forecasts. Check your local forecast before planting tender plants.