Frost/Freeze in Illinois

Events

1,143

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Damage

$50 million

• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 8, 2007$23 million · 19 eventsThis was the fourth and most extreme of several freezes on consecutive nights. Extensive damage occurred to some crops, gardens, and even trees. Record warmth in March preceded these freezes. Most growth was well ahead of schedule when the record cold struck.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, May 3, 2005$26 million · 13 eventsRecord breaking cold settled over the Midwest during the early morning hours of 3 May 2005. The cold was of such intensity that all time record minimums for the month of May were tied or shattered at most first order stations and many co-operative stations.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 15, 2008$190,000 · 19 eventsHigh pressure was centered directly over the Lower Ohio Valley early in the morning. Widespread freezing temperatures occurred under the influence of this cold high pressure system. Low temperatures were near 30 degrees across southern Illinois.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 29, 2008$140,000 · 14 eventsStrong surface high pressure brought near freezing air into southern Illinois. Nearly calm winds allowed frost to form. The frost ranged from patchy to widespread, depending on the topography of the surrounding area. The heaviest and most widespread frost was in valleys.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 16, 2014$95,000 · 19 eventsHigh pressure moved east across the Ohio Valley, bringing unseasonably cold air and widespread freezing temperatures. Lows were from 28 to 32 degrees at many locations in southern Illinois. The coldest observed temperature was 28 degrees at the Mount Vernon airport.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 15, 2014$60,000 · 12 eventsHigh pressure extending from the middle Missouri Valley to the southern Plains brought unseasonably cold air and a rare mid-April freeze. Except for those counties bordering Indiana or Kentucky, low temperatures were in the lower 30's.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 5 to 13, 200735 eventsAn extended period of cold weather occurred across central and southeast Illinois during the first two weeks of April. Several hard freezes occurred at night during this time.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 18, 199719 eventsAn unseasonably cold April caused problems for growers, especially fruit growers. The peach crop was especially vulnerable because above normal temperatures in March caused peach trees to blossom early. Lows on April 18 were in the upper 20s in some of the colder valleys.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 9, 200019 eventsA freeze caused some damage to fruit tree blossoms, mainly in low-lying areas. The peach blossoms were most heavily impacted. Estimates of peach losses at one orchard in Massac County ranged up to 50 percent.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 9, 200019 eventsA widespread killing frost and freeze affected southern Illinois, bringing an end to the growing season. Low temperatures were in the middle 20s.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 18, 200119 eventsAn unusually late frost damaged unprotected crops and gardens. The low temperature at Carbondale was 27 degrees, and Mcleansboro in Hamilton County got down to 24 degrees. At an orchard 10 miles northeast of Metropolis, about half the peach and nectarine crop was killed.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 28, 200519 eventsWidespread frost was observed across southern Illinois. Low temperatures were around 30 degrees at most locations.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 13 to 15, 200619 eventsWidespread frost and freezing temperatures occurred on three consecutive nights. The frost and freeze conditions were about a week or two earlier than usual in the fall. Lows were mostly in the lower 30's each night, although a few places dipped down into the upper 20's.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 9, 200719 eventsThis was the fifth consecutive night of freezing temperatures. A hard freeze occurred in most areas. Lows were in the mid 20's, not quite as cold as the previous night. Extensive damage occurred to some crops, gardens, and even trees.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 6, 200719 eventsThis was the second of several freezes on consecutive nights that resulted in extensive damage to some crops, gardens, and even trees. Record warmth in March preceded these freezes. Most growth was well ahead of schedule when the record cold struck.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 29, 200719 eventsClear skies and light winds associated with high pressure allowed temperatures to cool into the lower 30's. Widespread frost was observed.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 5, 200719 eventsThis was the first of several freezes on consecutive nights that resulted in extensive damage to some crops, gardens, and even trees. Record warmth in March preceded these freezes. Most growth was well ahead of schedule when the record cold struck.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 7, 200719 eventsThis was the third of several freezes on consecutive nights that resulted in extensive damage to some crops, gardens, and even trees. Record warmth in March preceded these freezes. Most growth was well ahead of schedule when the record cold struck.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, November 7, 200719 eventsA hard freeze brought an end to the growing season. A high pressure system over the southern and central Plains ushered in unseasonably cold air. Overnight lows were in the mid 20's at many locations.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 28, 200819 eventsCold Canadian high pressure moved south into the Plains. Brisk north winds brought the first freeze of the season to the entire region. Low temperatures were from 30 to 32 degrees at most observing sites.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 29, 200819 eventsSurface high pressure crossed the Lower Mississippi Valley. The combination of light winds, dry air, and clear skies allowed temperatures to fall below freezing with widespread frost. Low temperatures ranged from 24 to 31 degrees.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 18, 200919 eventsCold surface high pressure settled over southern Illinois and southeast Missouri. Skies cleared out and winds became light, resulting in the first widespread frost of the season.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 8, 200919 eventsUnseasonably cold air persisted across the region. Light winds and clear skies allowed temperatures to again fall to around 30 degrees.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, April 9, 201019 eventsSurface high pressure brought clear skies and light winds, setting the stage for frost formation. Temperatures bottomed out in the mid to upper 30's in most places. The cold spot was Mount Vernon, where the low was 32 degrees.
• Frost and Freeze in Illinois, October 22, 201119 eventsThe first widespread frost of the season occurred as high pressure moved east across the Lower Ohio Valley. Overnight low temperatures were in the middle 30's.

Frost/Freeze everywhereEvery kind of event in Illinois

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.