Frost dates for ZIP 78338 (Kenedy County, 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, Armstrong 4SE, TX (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2250% 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)293 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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 22 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 14 |
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 6 (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 6 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 22 | Dec 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
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 78338
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sarita Station (25 mi), Edinburg 17 NNE (30 mi), Texas AgriScience (36 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Edinburg 17 NNE (30 mi), Texas AgriScience (36 mi), Kingsville (49 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 | 53° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 78° | 61° | Mostly Sunny |
| Monday | 81° | 65° | Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers |
| Tuesday | 84° | 67° | Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers |
| Wednesday | 85° | 65° | Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms |
| Thursday | 86° | 64° | Sunny |
| Friday | 87° | 66° | 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 78338
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: Armstrong 4SE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410345), elevation 25 ft, 2.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarita 7 E, TX | 25 mi | Feb 17 | Dec 8 |
| Raymondville, TX | 27 mi | Jan 21 | Dec 26 |
| Port Mansfield, TX | 28 mi | Jan 12 | Jan 1 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 41 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 78338?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78338 is February 22. For a safer planting date, use March 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78338?
The average first fall freeze is December 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 15.
What hardiness zone is 78338?
ZIP 78338 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.