Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 62871 — Omaha, IL

ZIP code 62871 (Omaha, Gallatin County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 62871 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 15
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Omaha, IL…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Omaha, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Carmi 3, IL — 14 miles away, elevation 335 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 62871

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 19) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 62871 came on Mar 2 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Omaha, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62871 is Creal — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Creal silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 62871; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Omaha, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,921base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall12 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 23 °F 46°23° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 3.5❄3 JanFebruary: 3.11 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 3.1❄5 FebMarch: 4.37 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 4.4❄2 MarApril: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.43 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.4 OctNovember: 4.22 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.2 NovDecember: 3.90 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 3.9❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carmi 3, IL (14 mi away); precipitation: Carmi 3, IL (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

628697a
Norris City, IL · 5 mi
629797a
Ridgway, IL · 5 mi
628677a
New Haven, IL · 10 mi
629307a
Eldorado, IL · 10 mi
628347a
Emma, IL · 10 mi
629847a
Shawneetown, IL · 11 mi
628177a
Broughton, IL · 12 mi
629547a
Junction, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62871

What planting zone is ZIP code 62871?

ZIP code 62871 (Omaha, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Omaha, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62871 is April 15; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmi 3 station.

When is the first frost in Omaha, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62871 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62871?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62871 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmi 3 station).

How hot do summers get in Omaha, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62871 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Creal at the center of ZIP 62871: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Omaha, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62871 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Omaha, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62871 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62871 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62871 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.