Frost dates for Emmetsburg, IA
At Emmetsburg, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Apr 27 and the median first fall frost is Oct 7, for a typical growing season of 164 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until May 9. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zone 5a.
- Apr 27Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- May 9Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Oct 7First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 164 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 5 | May 18 |
| 32°F | Apr 11 | Apr 27 | May 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 3 | Apr 16 | Apr 30 |
| 24°F | Mar 23 | Apr 7 | Apr 23 |
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 15 | Sep 29 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | Sep 23 | Oct 7 | Oct 22 |
| 28°F | Oct 2 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 24°F | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
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 | 127 days | 145 days | 162 days |
| 32°F | 146 days | 164 days | 184 days |
| 28°F | 165 days | 185 days | 205 days |
| 24°F | 184 days | 204 days | 225 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50536 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 2 km |
| 50528 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 12 km |
| 50562 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 16 km |
| 51342 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 17 km |
| 50527 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 17 km |
| 51358 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 17 km |
| 50515 | 5a | -20 to -15°F | 19 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 USC00132689, at 43.1025, -94.6833, elevation 373 m (1,225 ft).
- Data quality: Representative (10+ years), 24 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 153.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Estherville 4e (34 km)
- Estherville Muni Airport (34 km)
- Algona (38 km)
- Spencer 1 N (38 km)
- Sioux Rapids 4 E (39 km)
- Pocahontas (42 km)
- Spencer Muni Airport (43 km)
- Swea City 5n (50 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.