Cold-weather concrete placement rules, state by state
When can you place concrete in cold weather on a state DOT job, and how long must it be protected? Each state sets its own limits in its Standard Specifications. This table gathers them, each linked to the page of the spec it comes from.
44 states · each value quoted from the state's Standard Specifications, with the page linked · how these answers are produced
| State | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Cold weather concrete placement on Alabama DOT projects requires written Engineer approval if ambient air temperature is below 40°F (5°C). | Alabama DOT Standard Specifications, p. 293Alabama DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 293–294 |
| Alaska | "Measure and record air temperature in the work area, away from sunlight and artificial heat, at approximate 12 hour intervals, at least twice each 24- hour period. | Alaska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 201–202 |
| Arizona | Cold weather concrete placement on Arizona DOT projects requires: (1) No placement if ambient temp (shade, away from artificial heat) drops below 40°F or is forecasted to fall below 35°F; resume only when temp exceeds 35°F. | Arizona DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 1182–1183Arizona DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 1184–1185 |
| Arkansas | Concrete placement in cold weather on Arkansas DOT projects requires: (1) No placement if air temp < 36°F (2°C) unless heating ingredients and enclosing concrete is approved. (2) Minimum concrete placement temp: 50°F (10°C). | Arkansas DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 717–718Arkansas DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 730–731 |
| California | Record temps hourly with redundant sensors; discontinue only if max internal temp is falling, temp diff < allowable for 3 days, and no adjacent mass concrete. Max internal temp ≤160°F; max temp diff per thermal control plan. | California DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 815–816 |
| Colorado | Concrete must be placed at 50–90°F; use heated water/aggregates (≤10°F batch variation), avoid flash set by pre-charging water/aggregates, and prevent freezing by maintaining pavement ≥40°F until 2000 psi strength. | Colorado DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 592–593Colorado DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 399–401 |
| Connecticut | Submit a Cold-Weather Concreting Plan for review; preheat forms/reinforcement to ≥40°F for ≥1hr; maintain concrete ≥45°F and air ≥60°F for first 6 days; extend cure to 10 days if slag/pozzolans are used; Engineer may adjust protection time… | Connecticut DOT Standard Specifications, p. 255Connecticut DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 254–255 |
| Florida | "346 - 7.4 Concreting in Cold Weather: Do not mix or place concrete when the air temperature is below 40 ºF. Protect the fresh concrete from freezing in accordance with Section 400. | Florida DOT Standard Specifications, p. 369 |
| Georgia | "X. Pour Concrete in Cold Weather When pourin g concrete in cold weather, keep the concrete temperature at the point of delivery at least 50 °F (10 °C). | Georgia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 660–661Georgia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 571–573 |
| Idaho | "b. Provide concrete that will have a temperature of at least 50°F and less than 80°F at the time of placing." "2. | Idaho DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 357–359Idaho DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 288–289 |
| Illinois | Concrete must be protected when air temps drop below 45°F (7°C) or during Dec 1–Mar 15. | Illinois DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 870–871Illinois DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 869–870 |
| Iowa | Do not place concrete against surfaces below 40°F; heat mix water/aggregates to 50–80°F. Use heated housing/insulation to maintain ≥50°F for 48+ hours, monitor temps for 96 hours. | Iowa DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 434–435Iowa DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 435–436 |
| Kansas | Stop concreting when air temp drops to 40°F; resume only when air temp reaches 35°F and is expected to exceed 40°F. Do not place concrete if air temp is below 20°F. Heat aggregates (not directly by flame) to 70–150°F if air temp is ≤35°F. | Kansas DOT Standard Specifications, Division 400 — Concrete, pp. 12–13 |
| Kentucky | Do not place concrete if ambient temps may drop below 45°F (3 days) or 40°F (4 days) unless adequate heating/insulation is provided. Maintain concrete temp ≥45°F for 7 days or until required strength is achieved. | Kentucky DOT Standard Specifications, p. 298Kentucky DOT Standard Specifications, p. 239 |
| Louisiana | Do not place concrete if internal temp <45°F or subgrade/frozen forms <32°F. Discontinue PC mixes at ≤35°F air temp or NOAA forecast <32°F in 24h; resume only when air temp ≥32°F for ≥24h with NOAA high >35°F. | Louisiana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 910–911 |
| Maine | Concrete placement in cold weather on Maine DOT projects requires: (1) No placement against frozen surfaces; remove frost/ice/snow from contact areas. | Maine DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 383–384 |
| Maryland | Use tarpaulins, insulating devices, or approved heaters to enclose and protect concrete when air temp ≤40°F; maintain concrete ≥50°F for 7 days; avoid heating >100°F; cool concrete uniformly over 24h after heating. | Maryland DOT Standard Specifications, 2025 Standard Specifications, p. 452Maryland DOT Standard Specifications, 2025 Standard Specifications, pp. 444–445 |
| Massachusetts | "Cold conditions concreting shall be defined as the procedures, operations, materials, and equipment required for the mixing, delivery, placement, finishing, curing, and protection of concrete during cold conditions, while exposed to air… | Massachusetts DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 505–506Massachusetts DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 506–508 |
| Michigan | "T. Weather and Temperature Limitations 1. Protection Against Rain . Protect the concrete pavement from damage by rain. 2. Protection from Cold Weather . | Michigan DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 341–342 |
| Minnesota | "Submit a written cold weather protection P lan to the Engineer for approval . The Plan shall include a proposed time schedule for concrete placement and curing, and Plans for adequately protecting the concrete during placement and curing… | Minnesota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 457–458Minnesota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 409–410 |
| Mississippi | Cold weather concreting on Mississippi DOT projects requires: (1) Concrete delivery temp limits per Table 8 (e.g., 55–75°F for <12" thickness). (2) Protection for 4+ days at 50–100°F if temps <40°F post-placement. | Mississippi DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 985–986Mississippi DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 986–987 |
| Missouri | "703.3.10 Cold Weather Concreting. Concrete work shall proceed on all structures, except bridge superstructures, whether or not heating will be required, unless it can be definitely established that the overall progress of the project will… | Missouri DOT Standard Specifications, p. 422Missouri DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 422–423 |
| Montana | "B. Cold Weather Concreting. Defined as when the weather forecast predicts air temperatures below 35 °F at any time during the specified curing and protection period following concrete placement. | Montana DOT Standard Specifications, p. 275Montana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 275–277 |
| Nebraska | "The Contractor may provide a calibrated digital thermometer with a thermocouple for the Department's use." "Forms and reinforcing materials shall be preheated to a minimum temperature of 40°F (4°C) and a maximum temperature not to exceed… | Nebraska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 524–525Nebraska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 541–542 |
| Nevada | "snow , or frost during placement of concrete. Do not place concrete on frozen ground." | Nevada DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 223–225 |
| New Hampshire | "3.7.4.4 Forms, reinforcing steel, existing concrete and all other materials which will be in contact with the fresh concrete shall be brought to a temperature of 50 ° F and all frost shall be removed within the limits of the foundation… | New Hampshire DOT Standard Specifications, p. 209New Hampshire DOT Standard Specifications, p. 229 |
| New Jersey | Do not place concrete when ambient temperature is below 40°F unless surfaces in contact are preheated to 50–80°F and access is provided for measuring in-place concrete temperature. | New Jersey DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 266–267New Jersey DOT Standard Specifications, p. 267 |
| New York | No concrete shall be placed when ambient air temperature is below 45°F without Engineer approval. | New York DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Specs Vol 2 — Sections 200-599, p. 305New York DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Specs Vol 2 — Sections 200-599, p. 282 |
| North Carolina | Do not place concrete when air temp (shade, no artificial heat) is below 35°F without permission. If permitted, heat aggregates/water to ≤150°F, place concrete at 55–80°F, use ice-free aggregates, avoid frozen foundations. | North Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 168–169North Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, p. 169 |
| North Dakota | Submit a cold weather protection plan if National Weather Service forecasts air temps below 40°F during curing; maintain concrete surface temp between 40°F–90°F for 5 consecutive days using admixtures, heated components,… | North Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 248–249North Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 363–364 |
| Ohio | When placing concrete in cold weather on Ohio DOT projects, ensure concrete temperature is at least 50 °F (10 °C) but not greater than 70 °F (21 °C) at placement. Heat water, aggregate, or both as needed. | Ohio DOT Standard Specifications, p. 334 |
| Oklahoma | Cold weather is defined as ambient air temperature <35°F [2°C] measured 5 ft [1.5 m] above ground in shade. Remove snow/ice/frost from surfaces contacting concrete; ensure contact surfaces ≥35°F [2°C]. | Oklahoma DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 392–393Oklahoma DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 393–394 |
| Oregon | Do not place concrete if air temp is below 40°F on placement day or forecasted for 7 days (14 for decks) unless an approved Cold Weather Plan is submitted. | Oregon DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 554–555Oregon DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 555–557 |
| Pennsylvania | Discontinue concreting when air temp (away from artificial heat) falls to 40F (45F for accelerated strength concrete); resume only when air temp rises above 40F (45F). | Pennsylvania DOT Standard Specifications, p. 362Pennsylvania DOT Standard Specifications, p. 1003 |
| Rhode Island | Submit a cold weather concreting plan 24 hrs before placement if air temp ≤40°F or forecasted ≤40°F for 14 days (bridge decks). | Rhode Island DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 291–292Rhode Island DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 292–293 |
| South Carolina | Do not place concrete if air temp is below 35°F without RCE authorization. If placing above 35°F or with authorization, protect concrete to maintain air temp between 50°F–100°F for 96 hours post-placement. | South Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 640–641 |
| South Dakota | Between Oct 15–May 1 and when directed, maintain concrete ≥35°F until 1500 psi for sidewalks/curb/gutter/etc. For bridges/structures, maintain ≥50°F for 72h then ≥40°F for 48h (or ≥65°F for 72h). Flooding with water for 7 days is allowed. | South Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 332–333 |
| Texas | Do not place concrete when ambient shade temp is below 40°F and falling unless approved. Place only when ambient shade temp is ≥35°F and rising or ≥40°F. Protect concrete from frost contact (temp ≤32°F). | Texas DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 561–562Texas DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 528–529 |
| Vermont | Cold weather concrete on Vermont DOT projects is defined as concrete placed or cured when ambient air temperature is below freezing or below 40°F for 8+ hours. Placement is prohibited below 10°F without Engineer approval. | Vermont DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 704–705Vermont DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 440–441 |
| Virginia | Concrete must be protected to maintain surface temp ≥40°F for 72 hrs (and ≥50°F at outer surfaces for 72 hrs + ≥40°F for 48 hrs if freezing continues). Contractor replaces frost-damaged concrete at own expense. | Virginia DOT Standard Specifications, p. 445Virginia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 497–498 |
| Washington | Concrete must be maintained at ≥40°F for the first 7 days and ≥35°F thereafter during the Cold Weather Protection Period (7 days or cure duration, whichever is longer). | Washington DOT Standard Specifications, p. 375Washington DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 56–57 |
| West Virginia | "No concrete shall be placed on a frozen subgrade. Materials containing frost or lumps of frozen material shall not be used." | West Virginia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 273–275 |
| Wisconsin | Pour concrete when air temp ≥40°F or if ≤40°F within 24h. Preheat forms/reinforcement to ≥40°F if air temp <40°F. Mix concrete at 50–80°F. Heat water/aggregates if air temp ≤40°F. Do not heat cement or add salt. | WisDOT Std Spec 502.3.9WisDOT Std Spec 502.3.9.5 |
| Wyoming | "Ensure that concrete delivered in air temperatures below 40 °F [5 °C] arrives at the project at a temperature from 60 °F [15 °C] to 90 °F [30 °C]." "Provide adequate lighting when paving during dawn or dusk or at night. | Wyoming DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 483–487Wyoming DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 354–355 |
State DOT specifications apply to that DOT's own contracts; private and municipal work follows the project spec and local code. Specs are revised — confirm the edition named in the source before relying on a value.