Frost dates for ZIP 77488 (Wharton, 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, El Campo, TX (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)287 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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) | Jan 22 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 23 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 16 |
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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 4 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 7 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 23 | Dec 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 2 | Dec 25 |
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 Wharton
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Wied Ranch (23 mi), Bobadoo Ranch (36 mi), Wegenhoft (42 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Wied Ranch (23 mi), Bobadoo Ranch (36 mi), Wegenhoft (42 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 | 50° | Partly Cloudy | |
| Sunday | 76° | 54° | Sunny |
| Monday | 81° | 58° | Mostly Sunny |
| Tuesday | 85° | 60° | Mostly Sunny |
| Wednesday | 88° | 57° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 89° | 59° | Sunny |
| Friday | 90° | 62° | 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 77488
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: El Campo, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412786), elevation 110 ft, 12.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danevang 1 W, TX | 18 mi | Feb 15 | Dec 8 |
| Bay City Wtr Wks, TX | 23 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Eagle Lake Resch Ctr, TX | 28 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 8 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 77488?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77488 is February 23. For a safer planting date, use March 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77488?
The average first fall freeze is December 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 15.
What hardiness zone is 77488?
ZIP 77488 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
Other ZIP codes in Wharton County
77420 77432 77435 77436 77437 77443 77448 77453 77454 77455 77467 All Wharton County ZIPs