Frost dates for ZIP 78736 (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 (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)242 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 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 date | Date |
|---|---|
| 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
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 4 | Nov 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
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Arnosky Farms (23 mi), Austin 33 NW (27 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (27 mi).
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Arnosky Farms (23 mi), Austin 33 NW (27 mi), Pecan Grove Farms (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 | 72° | 49° | Sunny |
| Monday | 76° | 55° | Mostly Sunny |
| Tuesday | 80° | 57° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 84° | 58° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 86° | 59° | Sunny |
| Friday | 86° | 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 78736
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: Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412585), elevation 1,084 ft, 3.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-camp Mabry, TX | 12 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 13 mi | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Austin Great Hills, TX | 16 mi | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
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 78736?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78736 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 78736?
The average first fall freeze is November 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.
What hardiness zone is 78736?
ZIP 78736 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 78652 78653 78660 78669 78701 78702 78703 78704 78705 78712 78719 78721 78722 78723 78724 78725 78726 78727 78728 78730 78731 All Travis County ZIPs