St. Louis, Missouri – Warm afternoons may feel like spring has fully arrived, but overnight temperatures still pose a real risk to outdoor plants across Missouri and Illinois.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, much of the region remains weeks away from its average last freeze date. In St. Louis, the average last freeze typically occurs around early April, while surrounding areas like Columbia and Jefferson City may not see their final freeze until mid-April or later.
Cities across the region, including Chesterfield, St. Charles, and Cahokia, can still experience overnight lows dipping into the low to mid-30s, especially under clear skies. These conditions can lead to patchy frost, which may damage early plantings and sensitive vegetation.
Even as daytime temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s at times, the risk remains during overnight hours, particularly in low-lying and rural areas where colder air settles. Gardeners and homeowners are urged to delay planting or take precautions such as covering plants and bringing potted vegetation indoors.
Warmer patterns will continue to develop through early spring, but freeze risks will persist into the coming weeks. Additional updates will help refine the timing of the final frost across the region.
