Frost dates for Cedar Rapids #1, IA
At Cedar Rapids #1, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 28 and the median first fall frost is Oct 12, for a typical growing season of 166 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 13. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zones 5a to 5b.
- Apr 28Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 13Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 12First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 166 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 23 | May 7 | May 22 |
| 32°F | Apr 14 | Apr 28 | May 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | May 2 |
| 24°F | Mar 23 | Apr 6 | Apr 22 |
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 19 | Oct 2 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | Sep 29 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | Oct 8 | Oct 22 | Nov 1 |
| 24°F | Oct 19 | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
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 | 128 days | 147 days | 166 days |
| 32°F | 144 days | 166 days | 184 days |
| 28°F | 166 days | 186 days | 205 days |
| 24°F | 187 days | 207 days | 228 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52302 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 3 km |
| 52402 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 7 km |
| 52328 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 7 km |
| 52233 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 8 km |
| 52403 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 9 km |
| 52401 | 5b | -15 to -10°F | 10 km |
| 52411 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 12 km |
| 52341 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 13 km |
| 52202 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 13 km |
| 52314 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 17 km |
| 52324 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 18 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 USC00131319, at 42.0497, -91.5881, elevation 248 m (813 ft).
- Data quality: Standard (24+ years of data), 30 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 134.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Cedar Rapids Muni Airport (21 km)
- Anamosa 3 SSW (24 km)
- Anamosa 1 WNW (25 km)
- Coggon (26 km)
- Vinton (37 km)
- Iowa City Muni Airport (47 km)
- Manchester #2 (48 km)
- Tipton (49 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.