National Weather ServiceIowaFreeze WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Freeze Watches in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 0 freeze watches for Iowa in 2025 and 3 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 34th most of any state. 2026 through September: 0, 100% below the average of 2 for those months in 2008-2025. Pottawattamie was covered most often (15 times since 2008).
How many freeze watches does Iowa get?
Every freeze watch that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2008 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Iowa get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Iowa?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pottawattamie | 15 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
| Scott | 14 | 4 | October 16, 2024 |
| Page | 14 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
| Montgomery | 14 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
| Mills | 14 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
| Tama | 13 | 3 | October 16, 2024 |
| Shelby | 13 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
| Muscatine | 13 | 3 | October 16, 2024 |
| Linn | 13 | 4 | October 16, 2024 |
| Jones | 13 | 4 | October 16, 2024 |
| Jackson | 13 | 4 | October 16, 2024 |
| Harrison | 13 | 2 | October 16, 2024 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a freeze watch?
A freeze watch means temperatures at or below 32°F are possible during the growing season. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. AreaZine's counts include the hard freeze watches issued before the change. The national record · Every warning type in Iowa.