Frost dates for ZIP 76687 (Thornton, TX)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Mexia, TX (17 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)251 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 13 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 4 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 29 | Nov 10 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 13 | Nov 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 28 | Dec 4 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
This week in Thornton
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Riesel (25 mi), City of Troy (49 mi), Palestine 6 WNW (53 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Riesel (25 mi), City of Troy (49 mi), Palestine 6 WNW (53 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
No frost in the 7-day forecast.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 43° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 72° | 47° | Sunny |
| Monday | 78° | 51° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 82° | 54° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 86° | 55° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 88° | 57° | Sunny |
| Friday | 89° | 59° | Mostly Sunny |
National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:28 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.
Free frost alerts for 76687
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts a freeze for this ZIP, plus the spring soil-temperature heads-up. At most a few a month.
Alerts open soon. This form is a preview and doesn't send anything yet.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mexia, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415869), elevation 503 ft, 17.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin, TX | 23 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
| Marlin, TX | 23 mi | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
| Fairfield 3W, TX | 30 mi | Mar 16 | Nov 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 24 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 76687?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 76687 is March 13. For a safer planting date, use April 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 76687?
The average first fall freeze is November 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 4.
What hardiness zone is 76687?
ZIP 76687 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
Other ZIP codes in Limestone County
76635 76642 76653 76664 76667 76678 76686 All Limestone County ZIPs