Weather
Illinois Freeze Alert: Chicago, Most Areas Still Await First 32° Reading
Chicago, IL – Illinois is entering its typical first freeze period, but most weather observation stations across the state have yet to record temperatures at or below 32 degrees this fall. New climate
By Dylan Reeves · 2026-10-16T15:34:50.247Z
Chicago, IL – Illinois is entering its typical first freeze period, but most weather observation stations across the state have yet to record temperatures at or below 32 degrees this fall. New climate data through Thursday, October 15, shows the first widespread freezing temperatures of the season have not yet appeared across much of Illinois.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago and the Midwest Regional Climate Center, most reporting stations across Illinois remained without a recorded autumn freeze as of October 15, even as the region approaches its historical first freeze dates.
Chicago's Average First Freeze Is Just Days Away
Chicago O'Hare International Airport typically records its first autumn freeze around October 19, based on 30 year climate averages from 1991 through 2020.
Farther northwest, Rockford normally reaches 32 degrees by October 13, meaning its average first freeze date has already passed.
Across much of northern Illinois, the first freeze typically occurs between October 11 and October 20.
However, communities near Lake Michigan generally experience their first freeze later, with some shoreline areas averaging dates between October 27 and November 5.
Last Year's Freeze Arrived Much Later in Chicago
In 2025, Chicago O'Hare did not record its first freeze until November 9, when temperatures fell to 26 degrees.
Rockford reached freezing temperatures October 23, 2025, with a low of 30 degrees.
Historical records demonstrate how widely first freeze dates can vary. Chicago's earliest recorded freeze occurred September 22, 1995, while its latest occurred November 24, 1931.
Residents across northern Illinois should begin preparing sensitive plants, outdoor plumbing and gardens for colder overnight temperatures as October progresses.
While historical averages indicate freezing temperatures become increasingly common during this period, the latest climate observations do not establish when the first freeze of 2026 will occur.