National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

It's beginning to feel like fall.  Low temperatures are dropping into the 30s and 40s and we are losing minutes of sunshine each day.  Typically, across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, the first fall frost (dependent on moisture and temperatures in the lower to mid 30s) occurs from the third week of September into the first week of October.  The first fall freeze (32 degrees F. or colder) occurs late in September or in the first week or two of October.  A hard freeze (or killing freeze of 28 degrees F. or colder) typically occurs around the third week of October, but varies significantly from site to site. 

Last year...the first 36 or colder, 32, and 28 degree temperatures were as follows at a few selected cities:

OMAHA: 36 degrees or colder - October 23rd, First freeze - October 28th, and First hard freeze - November 3rd

LINCOLN:  36 degrees or colder - October 22nd, First freeze - October 23rd, and First hard freeze - October 28th

NORFOLK:  36 degrees or colder - September 14th, First freeze - October 26th, and First hard freeze - October 28th

TEKAMAH:  36 degrees or colder - September 14th, First freeze - October 23rd, and First hard freeze - October 28th

FALLS CITY:  36 degrees or colder - October 11th, First freeze - October 23rd, and First hard freeze - October 28th

GRETNA 3NE:  36 degrees or colder - October 11th, First freeze - November 3rd, and First hard freeze - November 6th

COLUMBUS 3NE:  36 degrees or colder - October 11th, First freeze - October 26th, and First hard freeze - November 1st

HARLAN 1N:  36 degrees or colder - September 15th, First freeze - October 25th, and First hard freeze - November 1st

RED OAK:  36 degrees or colder - October 23rd, First freeze - October 23rd, and First hard freeze - November 1st

Probability of occurrence data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) can be found here... Nebraska and Iowa

See below for dates in your area...click on map to enlarge...