Last Spring Freeze: When Should We Plant Our Gardens?

Today is beautiful. If you're tempted to get into the yard and get some planting done in northern Illinois, you might want to wait just a little bit longer, according to the National Weather Service.

"Many areas are quickly approaching the normal date of their final spring season freeze, meaning the growing season is beginning. In spite of this, if you are a home gardener, keep in mind that freezing temperatures have occurred into the first half of May across portions of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana in the past," the NWS advises. "Therefore, if you are planting sensitive vegetation, the threat for a killing freeze has certainly not ended.

"The probabilities of freezing temperatures drop significantly over the area (below 20-25 percent) after the first week of May."

The coming week will see lower temperatures, with Monday in the 70s and the days after in the 50s and 60s.

80° Days This Weekend

Normally, the Chicago area sees its first 80° day on April 20. The earliest 80° day was recorded on March 3, 1974. And the latest was June 18, 1884 (recorded downtown near the lake at the time). Did we reach 80° anywhere in the last 24 hours? Unofficial Magic 8 Ball results says Yes! And 1° higher, too.

• Joliet: 81°
• Batavia: 81°
• Aurora: 80°
• Romeoville: 80°
• Rockford: 80°
• Lansing: 78°
• Elgin: 78°
• Barrington: 77°
• Chicago-Midway: 77°
• DuPage Airport: 77°
• Chicago-O'Hare: 76°
• Wheeling: 70°
• Waukegan Airport: 65°
• Northerly Island: 60°

source: National Weather Service official and unofficial recording station results

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