Frost dates for ZIP 78656 (San Marcos, 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, San Marcos, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)273 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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) | Feb 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 28 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 21 |
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) | Nov 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 14 | Nov 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 28 | Nov 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 13 | Dec 15 |
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 San Marcos
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
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Baker Ranch (18 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (27 mi), Springs Hill SUD Plant (27 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Baker Ranch (18 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (27 mi), Springs Hill SUD Plant (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.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 45° | Partly Cloudy | |
| Sunday | 74° | 50° | Sunny |
| Monday | 78° | 55° | Mostly Sunny |
| Tuesday | 83° | 57° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 86° | 57° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 88° | 58° | Sunny |
| Friday | 89° | 61° | 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 78656
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: San Marcos, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00417983), elevation 665 ft, 8.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luling, TX | 18 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| New Braunfels WFO, TX | 19 mi | Feb 25 | Nov 25 |
| Austin San Antonio, TX | 19 mi | Mar 1 | Nov 26 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 78656?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78656 is February 28. For a safer planting date, use March 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78656?
The average first fall freeze is November 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 8.
What hardiness zone is 78656?
ZIP 78656 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 78644 78648 78655 78661 All Caldwell County ZIPs