YardThisWeek

Frost dates for ZIP 78402 (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, TX (6 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 16 (prior Dec)
50% (the "average" last frost)Jan 28
10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later)Feb 28

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 25
50% (the "average" first frost)Dec 21
90% (late: most years have frozen by now)Jan 26 (next year)

Light frost, freeze and hard freeze

ThresholdLast spring (50%)First fall (50%)
36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights)Feb 16Dec 5
32°F (freeze)Jan 28Dec 21
28°F (hard freeze)Jan 8Dec 30

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 (20 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (31 mi), Kingsville (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 (20 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (31 mi), Kingsville (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
Sunday74°65°Sunny
Monday77°69°Partly Sunny
Tuesday80°71°Sunny
Wednesday82°70°Sunny
Thursday84°70°Sunny
Friday85°73°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.

Where these numbers come from

Station: Corpus Christi, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012924), elevation 45 ft, 6.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).

Nearby stations

StationDistanceLast frost (50%)First frost (50%)
Corpus Christi NWS, TX6 miJan 31Dec 22
Corpus Christi Cabaniss Fld, TX11 miJan 15Dec 30
C C Botanical Gardens, TX13 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 78402?

The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78402 is January 28. For a safer planting date, use February 28, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.

When is the first frost in 78402?

The average first fall freeze is December 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 25.

What hardiness zone is 78402?

ZIP 78402 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

78330 78339 78343 78347 78351 78373 78380 78401 78404 78405 78406 78407 78408 78409 78410 78411 78412 78413 78414 78415 78416 78417 78419 All Nueces County ZIPs