YardThisWeek

Frost dates for ZIP 78644 (Lockhart, 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, Luling, TX (14 miles away).

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)Feb 7
50% (the "average" last frost)Mar 5
10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later)Apr 3

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 3
50% (the "average" first frost)Nov 23
90% (late: most years have frozen by now)Dec 14

Light frost, freeze and hard freeze

ThresholdLast spring (50%)First fall (50%)
36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights)Mar 22Nov 10
32°F (freeze)Mar 5Nov 23
28°F (hard freeze)Feb 17Dec 6

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 Lockhart

Soil temperature now

2-inch depth

75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT

30°50°55°70°90°

Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Baker Ranch (18 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (24 mi), Grones Ranch (27 mi).

4-inch depth

76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT

30°50°55°70°90°

Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Baker Ranch (18 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (24 mi), Grones Ranch (27 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
Tonight45°Mostly Clear
Sunday74°49°Sunny
Monday78°55°Mostly Sunny
Tuesday84°57°Sunny
Wednesday87°57°Sunny
Thursday89°58°Sunny
Friday89°60°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: Luling, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415429), elevation 400 ft, 13.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).

Nearby stations

StationDistanceLast frost (50%)First frost (50%)
Cedar Creek 5 S, TX15 miMar 14Nov 19
San Marcos, TX16 miFeb 28Nov 29
Austin Bergstrom AP, TX21 miMar 12Nov 16

The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.

Questions

When is the last frost in 78644?

The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78644 is March 5. For a safer planting date, use April 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.

When is the first frost in 78644?

The average first fall freeze is November 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.

What hardiness zone is 78644?

ZIP 78644 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.

Other ZIP codes in Caldwell County

78616 78622 78648 78655 78656 78661 All Caldwell County ZIPs