Frost dates for ZIP 78538 (Monte Alto, 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, Santa Rosa 3 WNW, TX (9 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 63% of years (about 2 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.
- Average last spring frostJan 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)355 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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) | Dec 13 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 10 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 24 |
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) | Dec 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 3 | Dec 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 10 | Dec 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 1 | Dec 29 |
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 Monte Alto
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Texas AgriScience, 5 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, Fri 76°.
4-inch depth
70°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Texas AgriScience, 5 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 78°.
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 | 55° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 77° | 62° | Mostly Sunny |
| Monday | 82° | 66° | Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers |
| Tuesday | 86° | 69° | Mostly Sunny |
| Wednesday | 87° | 67° | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms |
| Thursday | 88° | 65° | Sunny |
| Friday | 89° | 68° | 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 78538
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: Santa Rosa 3 WNW, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00418059), elevation 50 ft, 9.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburg 17 NNE, TX | 12 mi | Jan 21 | Dec 23 |
| Edinburg, TX | 12 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 2 (next year) |
| Weslaco, TX | 13 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 31 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 78538?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78538 is January 10. For a safer planting date, use February 24, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78538?
The average first fall freeze is December 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 78538?
ZIP 78538 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 Hidalgo County
78501 78503 78504 78516 78537 78539 78540 78541 78542 78543 78549 78557 78558 78560 78562 78563 78565 78570 78572 78573 78574 78576 78577 78579 All Hidalgo County ZIPs