Concrete · Seasonal

Seasonal concrete work

Concrete can be placed year-round, but weather changes what the crew must do. NRMCA says placed concrete temperature should be maintained above 50°F, that in cold weather concrete must not cool faster than 5°F per hour for the first 24 hours and should be protected from freezing until it reaches at least 500 psi, and that in hot weather high initial temperatures produce fast early strength but lower ultimate strength.

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Hot, dry, windy days are the classic setup for plastic shrinkage cracking. NRMCA's trigger conditions are wind velocity over 5 mph, low relative humidity, and high ambient or concrete temperatures. The countermeasures are known and cheap: temporary windbreaks, sunshades, fog spraying, dampening the subgrade and forms, scheduling for late afternoon or early evening, and covering the slab with wet burlap or polyethylene between finishing operations. A crew that does none of these on a 95°F breezy day is taking your risk, not theirs.

Cold weather is the opposite problem: setting slows, finishing gets pushed later, and the slab is vulnerable to freezing before it has any strength. NRMCA says not to place concrete on a frozen subgrade and to remove snow and ice first. Curing methods that retain moisture — rather than wet curing — should be used when freezing temperatures are anticipated.

NRMCA specifically flags placing exterior concrete in late fall, winter, or early spring when the slab will be exposed to freezing shortly after placement while still saturated. That's the scenario most likely to produce first-winter scaling. If a contractor offers a discount for a late-November pour in a freezing climate, understand what you are accepting.

Whatever the season, curing runs 3 to 7 days and starts as soon as finishing is complete.

How to choose

Ask what the hot-weather plan is: Windbreaks, fog spray, evaporation retardant, earlier start time. If the answer is "we'll work fast," that is not a plan — NRMCA lists having adequate manpower and supplies as its own precaution.
In cold weather, ask about protection, not just placement: Insulating blankets, the 5°F-per-hour cooling limit for the first 24 hours, and protection from freezing until 500 psi are the specifics to hear back.
Never let concrete go on frozen ground: NRMCA says to remove snow and ice and not to place on a frozen subgrade. This is non-negotiable and easy to observe yourself.
Prefer a pour that gets a full season before its first winter: NRMCA's caution about late-season pours plus its no-deicers-first-winter rule both point the same way.
Time sealing for a dry stretch: NRMCA names late summer with a few preceding dry days as an ideal time to apply a concrete sealer.
Don't let a discount set the schedule: Off-season pricing exists because the risk is real. Take it with eyes open or wait.

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FAQ

Concrete seasonal — common questions

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What is the best temperature to pour concrete?

NRMCA's guidance is that the temperature of placed concrete should be maintained above 50°F, since hydration and strength development slow as it gets colder. Very hot conditions bring their own problem: higher initial curing temperature gives rapid early strength but lower ultimate strength.

Can you pour concrete in winter?

Yes, with protection. NRMCA requires not placing on a frozen subgrade, protecting the concrete from freezing until it reaches at least 500 psi using insulating materials, and not letting it cool faster than 5°F per hour during the first 24 hours.

Why do contractors pour early in the morning in summer?

To reduce evaporation from the fresh surface. NRMCA notes that in critical conditions placement should be scheduled for late afternoon or early evening, though in very hot conditions early morning placement can give better control of concrete temperature.

How long does concrete need to cure?

NRMCA: curing begins immediately after placement and finishing and should continue for a sufficient period of time, typically 3 to 7 days. Concrete cured in a dry environment can lose as much as 50 percent of its potential strength compared with moist-cured concrete.

Sources

Where these figures come from

NRMCA CIP 11 — Curing In-Place Concrete · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 5 — Plastic Shrinkage Cracking · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 2 — Scaling Concrete Surfaces · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 4 — Cracking Concrete Surfaces · retrieved 2026-07-25