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

Planting zone for 62960 — Metropolis, IL

ZIP code 62960 (Metropolis, Massac County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 62960 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 6
First frostOct 27
2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Brookport Dam 52, IL — 8 miles away, elevation 331 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 62960

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 62960 came on Mar 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

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).

Native plants for zone 7a in Illinois

633 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 81

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 110

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 226

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 186

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Metropolis, IL.

Soil in Metropolis, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62960 is Brandon — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brandon-Saffell complex, 18 to 25 percent slopes, eroded.

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 62960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Metropolis, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,362base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 FebMarch: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Brookport Dam 52, IL (8 mi away); precipitation: Belknap 11.1 Ese, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

629537a
Joppa, IL · 7 mi
629437a
Grantsburg, IL · 9 mi
629087a
Belknap, IL · 9 mi
420027a
Paducah, KY · 10 mi
420867a
West Paducah, KY · 11 mi
629107a
Brookport, IL · 12 mi
629567a
Karnak, IL · 12 mi
420537a
Kevil, KY · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62960

What planting zone is ZIP code 62960?

ZIP code 62960 (Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62960 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brookport Dam 52 station.

When is the first frost in Metropolis, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62960 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62960?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62960 get?

About 51.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belknap 11.1 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Metropolis, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62960 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brandon at the center of ZIP 62960: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Metropolis, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62960 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Metropolis, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62960 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.