Chicago, IL – A sharp overnight chill will stretch from the Central Plains through the Midwest tonight, with frost advisories now covering nearly a dozen states from Kansas to Kentucky. The National Weather Service warns that temperatures could tumble to the low 30s — even upper 20s in spots — by early Thursday morning (October 23, 2025).
According to multiple NWS offices across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky, light winds and clear skies will create ideal frost conditions. Some areas in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska are even under a Freeze Warning, where lows near 30°F could damage outdoor plumbing or kill unprotected plants.
For most locations, frost formation is expected between midnight and 9 a.m., with another round possible Friday morning as cold air lingers. Cities including Chicago, Des Moines, Omaha, Louisville, and Springfield are likely to wake up to frosty lawns and icy windshields.
Impacts: Tender plants, late garden crops, and outdoor vegetation are most at risk. Homeowners are urged to cover flowers, bring in potted plants, and allow extra time to defrost vehicles Thursday morning.
