Frost dates for Sioux City, Iowa
In a typical year, Sioux City’s last spring frost lands around Apr 29 and the first fall frost around Oct 7, a growing season of about 161 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 5a.
Right now the typical frost season has arrived; planting waits for spring.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Apr 15 | Sep 24 |
| 50 percent | Apr 29 | Oct 7 |
| 90 percent | May 11 | Oct 21 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in Sioux City is typically around 49°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
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Common questions
When is the last frost in Sioux City, Iowa?
Sioux City’s last spring frost falls around April 29 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by April 15, and one year in ten frost holds on until May 11. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in Sioux City?
The first fall frost arrives around October 7 in a typical year, as early as September 24 in an early year and as late as October 21 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in Sioux City?
About 161 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is Sioux City in?
Sioux City is in USDA hardiness zone 5a under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.
Nearby cities
- South Sioux City, NE (around Apr 29 to Oct 7)
- Yankton, SD (around Apr 27 to Oct 11)
- Norfolk, NE (around Apr 30 to Oct 5)
- Sioux Falls, SD (around Apr 26 to Oct 13)
- Spencer, IA (around May 1 to Oct 3)
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