YardThisWeek

Frost dates for ZIP 78652 (Austin, 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, Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (10 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 26
50% (the "average" last frost)Mar 17
10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later)Apr 7

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)Oct 29
50% (the "average" first frost)Nov 13
90% (late: most years have frozen by now)Dec 4

Light frost, freeze and hard freeze

ThresholdLast spring (50%)First fall (50%)
36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights)Mar 31Nov 4
32°F (freeze)Mar 17Nov 13
28°F (hard freeze)Mar 4Nov 26

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 Austin

Soil temperature now

2-inch depth

74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°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 Pecan Grove Farms (22 mi), Arnosky Farms (27 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (31 mi).

4-inch depth

74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°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 Pecan Grove Farms (22 mi), Arnosky Farms (27 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (31 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°Partly Cloudy
Sunday73°50°Sunny
Monday77°56°Mostly Sunny
Tuesday82°58°Sunny
Wednesday86°58°Sunny
Thursday88°59°Sunny
Friday88°62°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: Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412585), elevation 1,084 ft, 9.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).

Nearby stations

StationDistanceLast frost (50%)First frost (50%)
Austin 6S, TX10 miMar 10Nov 17
Austin Bergstrom AP, TX11 miMar 12Nov 16
Austin-camp Mabry, TX14 miFeb 20Dec 3

The average last-frost dates of these stations span 28 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.

Questions

When is the last frost in 78652?

The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78652 is March 17. For a safer planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.

When is the first frost in 78652?

The average first fall freeze is November 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.

What hardiness zone is 78652?

ZIP 78652 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 Travis County

78617 78641 78645 78653 78660 78669 78701 78702 78703 78704 78705 78712 78719 78721 78722 78723 78724 78725 78726 78727 78728 78730 78731 78732 All Travis County ZIPs