This Is When Illinois And Wisconsin Will Get The First Frost This Year

Fall is right on our doorstep.

Kids are heading back to school, Spirit Halloween stores are opening for the season, and we're less than a month away from Labor Day. The yearly August argument is strong on social media right now. Some hang on to pool season and embrace the Dog Days of Summer. Others jump right into Spooky Season and all things pumpkin.

Farmer's Almanac won't release their winter 2024-2025 forecast just yet but they do have a forecast for when everyone's first frost will be.

Iowa's is set for mid-October, right before Halloween. But the first frost isn't too far off for other Midwest states too.

Illinois May Not Have A Cold Halloween

Iowa isn't getting through Halloween without a jacket but Illinois might. First, the 'frost' is defined as a 'light freeze', meaning temps are 29 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This will kill any tender plants you have outside.

Chicago isn't expected to get their first frost of the year until November 1st. Meanwhile, Springfield isn't as lucky, they will probably see this year's first frost on October 17th.

Wisconsin Is Also All Over The Place

It's odd to me that areas in the same state will see such different first frost dates, but the stats are historically accurate. There's only a 30% chance of a first fall frost occurring before or after these dates, so it's quite likely.

Madison will probably have a cold Halloween, with a first frost date of October 3rd. Almost a full month later, Milwaukee will get it's first frost on October 24th.

Whether or not you're getting the fall candles out yet, we still have at least a couple of months before the first frost of the year hits. That's two more months of teeshirts before you put them up for the winter!