FrostList

When to Winterize Your RV in Park Ridge, IL

ON TRACK119 days until first 28°F freezeNov 7

Park Ridge's median first 28°F hard freeze is November 7 (1991–2020 NOAA normals), and it can strike as early as October 27 — so winterize your RV in Park Ridge by October 28. With about a 26-day spread, the date holds fairly steady from year to year.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Nov 7; local deadline about Oct 28. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Park Ridge

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Oct 15Oct 28Nov 11
28°F (hard freeze)Oct 27Nov 7Nov 22
24°F (severe)Nov 3Nov 17Dec 2

NOAA station: Chicago Ohare Intl AP · 4.9 mi away · 658 ft elevation.

For Park Ridge, the nearest NOAA station with freeze data is Chicago Ohare Intl AP, 4.9 miles out at 658 feet. Median first-freeze dates there run 32°F by Oct 28, 28°F by Nov 7, 24°F by Nov 17. Year to year the 28°F date has ranged from Oct 27 to Nov 22 — about 26 days apart. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Apr 16. Snowfall averages 38 inches a year, first reaching an inch near November.

In Park Ridge, freezing nights (32°F) typically begin around Oct 28 and the first hard freeze (28°F) follows near Nov 7. Year to year, the first 32°F night has fallen anywhere from Oct 15 to Nov 11 — about 27 days apart. Spring's final freeze lands near Apr 16 and as late as May 1, so that is when outdoor water and stored gear can safely come back online. Snowfall averages roughly 38 inches a year — enough that a working snow blower and a clear roof edge earn their keep.

Your rv checklist

  1. Drain the fresh, gray, and black tanks, then drain the water heater only after it has cooled and lost pressure.
  2. Bypass the water heater so you do not waste six gallons of antifreeze filling the tank.
  3. Blow out the lines with a compressor at about 30–40 psi, then pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet until it runs pink.
    Helpful gear: RV antifreeze (6-pack) — Recommended pick
  4. Use a water-pump converter kit to draw antifreeze straight from the jug through the plumbing.
    Helpful gear: Water pump converter kit — Recommended pick
  5. Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain trap and the toilet to protect the seals.
  6. Fit a blow-out plug at the city-water inlet so you can clear that line too.
    Helpful gear: Blow-out plug — Recommended pick
  7. Remove batteries or put them on a maintainer, and store them off a cold concrete floor.
  8. Cover roof vents, close the propane, and set out traps or deterrents so mice do not move in.

What to have on hand

RV antifreeze (6-pack)
Non-toxic pink fluid for the fresh-water plumbing and traps.
Recommended pick
Water pump converter kit
Siphon kit that draws antifreeze straight through the pump.
Recommended pick
Blow-out plug
Adapter that lets a compressor clear the lines before antifreeze.
Recommended pick
Heated fresh-water hose
For anyone staying hooked up through a cold snap.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Against its neighbors, Park Ridge (first freeze Nov 7) runs close to Des Plaines (Nov 7) and later than Glenview (Nov 1). Across Illinois, local prep deadlines in our data range from Oct 14 to Nov 5, so a statewide rule of thumb would miss Park Ridge by weeks. In Park Ridge, that same cold is your cue to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat.

Other winter jobs in Park Ridge

Every task below is dated to Park Ridge's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Oct 28Frozen pipes → Oct 15Ice dams → Oct 16Car battery → Nov 7Snow blower → Oct 25Sump pump → Apr 16Boat → Oct 31Motorcycle → Oct 28

See the full Park Ridge winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do RV pipes freeze?
An RV's exposed plumbing and thin-walled tanks can begin to freeze once temperatures sit in the mid-20s for a few hours, sooner than a house because there is little insulation around the lines. That is why the winterizing deadline tracks the first 28°F freeze rather than the first light frost.
How much RV antifreeze do I need?
Most travel trailers and motorhomes take about two to three gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze, and larger rigs more. Bypassing the water heater saves roughly six gallons you would otherwise waste filling the tank. Buy an extra jug; stores sell out once the first freeze warnings hit.
Can I just use my RV furnace instead of winterizing?
Relying on the furnace is risky. A propane run-out, a tripped breaker, or a dead battery during a cold night leaves the plumbing unprotected, and the furnace may not keep the underbelly and bays warm enough anyway. Draining and adding antifreeze is the dependable way to protect the system.
How do I winterize an RV water heater?
Let the tank cool and lose pressure, then drain it and, if fitted, pull the anode rod. Do not add antifreeze to the water heater tank; instead, set the bypass valves so antifreeze skips the tank and fills only the lines. Fresh antifreeze in an unbypassed heater just wastes several gallons.
When is it safe to de-winterize an RV in Park Ridge?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Apr 16 here. De-winterize by flushing the antifreeze from the lines, sanitizing the fresh tank, and checking for leaks before a trip. Reopening too early risks a surprise late freeze on a charged system.
Do I need to winterize an RV stored indoors?
A reliably heated indoor space that stays above freezing protects the plumbing, so full winterizing may not be needed. But an unheated garage or barn can still drop below freezing on a cold night. If you cannot guarantee the space stays warm, winterize to be safe.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Chicago Ohare Intl AP, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.