Frost dates for ZIP 79086 (Sunray, 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, Dumas, TX (20 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)183 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°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) | Apr 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 21 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 9 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 21 | Oct 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
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 Sunray
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 | 38° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 67° | 47° | Sunny |
| Monday | 71° | 51° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 75° | 55° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 79° | 57° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 77° | 57° | Partly Sunny |
| Friday | 75° | 56° | Chance Rain Showers |
National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:35 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.
Free frost alerts for 79086
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: Dumas, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412617), elevation 3,655 ft, 20.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gruver, TX | 23 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Stratford, TX | 27 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Sanford Dam, TX | 32 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 25 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 1 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79086?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79086 is April 21. For a safer planting date, use May 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79086?
The average first fall freeze is October 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 5.
What hardiness zone is 79086?
ZIP 79086 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.