Last frost date in Waterloo, Iowa

April 27

Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by April 11; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after May 10.

October 10

Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by September 26.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Waterloo Muni AP (USW00094910), 5 miles from Waterloo, elevation 868 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

This station is also the nearest one for Cedar Falls and Waverly, so their frost dates are the same as Waterloo's.

What to plant now

Frost dates for Waterloo, Iowa
Early yearAverageLate year
Last frost in springApr 11Apr 27May 10
First frost in fallSept 26Oct 10Oct 21

Frost-free days in an average year: 165

Light frost, frost and hard freeze in Waterloo
Chance in a yearAverage last in springAverage first in fall
Light frost (36°F)Every yearMay 6Sept 30
Frost (32°F)Every yearApr 27Oct 10
Hard freeze (28°F)Every yearApr 16Oct 20

Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 151

What to plant now in Waterloo

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.

Nearby in Iowa

All 41 places in Iowa

Updated