YardThisWeek

Frost dates for ZIP 78401 (Corpus Christi, 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, Corpus Christi NWS, TX (7 miles away).

Freezes are uncommon here

NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 88% of years (about 4 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLight blue: spring freeze risk (90% to 10%). Tan: fall freeze risk (10% to 90%). Dark lines: 50% dates.

Last spring frost odds

Chance of a 32°F freeze after this dateDate
90% (early: most years still freeze after this)Dec 24 (prior Dec)
50% (the "average" last frost)Jan 31
10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later)Mar 2

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 dateDate
10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon)Nov 29
50% (the "average" first frost)Dec 22
90% (late: most years have frozen by now)Feb 1 (next year)

Light frost, freeze and hard freeze

ThresholdLast spring (50%)First fall (50%)
36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights)Feb 18Dec 7
32°F (freeze)Jan 31Dec 22
28°F (hard freeze)Jan 11Jan 1 (next year)

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 Corpus Christi

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

30°50°55°70°90°

Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of RB Farms Inc (25 mi), Kingsville (34 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (34 mi).

4-inch depth

77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT

30°50°55°70°90°

Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of RB Farms Inc (25 mi), Kingsville (34 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (34 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.

PeriodHighLowForecast
Tonight58°Mostly Clear
Sunday75°66°Sunny
Monday78°70°Partly Sunny
Tuesday81°71°Sunny
Wednesday83°71°Sunny
Thursday84°71°Sunny
Friday85°75°Sunny

National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 6:03 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.

Where these numbers come from

Station: Corpus Christi NWS, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412011), elevation 44 ft, 6.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).

Nearby stations

StationDistanceLast frost (50%)First frost (50%)
Corpus Christi, TX7 miJan 28Dec 21
Corpus Christi Cabaniss Fld, TX7 miJan 15Dec 30
C C Botanical Gardens, TX9 miJan 29Dec 24

The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.

Questions

When is the last frost in 78401?

The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78401 is January 31. For a safer planting date, use March 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.

When is the first frost in 78401?

The average first fall freeze is December 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 29.

What hardiness zone is 78401?

ZIP 78401 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.

Other ZIP codes in Nueces County

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