Frost dates for ZIP 79355 (Plains, 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, Plains, TX (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)200 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°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) | Mar 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 11 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 27 |
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 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 11 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 11 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
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 Plains
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
57°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lehman (33 mi), Levelland (40 mi), Muleshoe 19 S (55 mi).
4-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 17, 8:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lehman (33 mi), Levelland (40 mi), Muleshoe 19 S (55 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
Frost possible (33–36°F). Coldest night: 36°F.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 36° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 64° | 43° | Sunny |
| Monday | 71° | 51° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 74° | 55° | Mostly Sunny |
| Wednesday | 77° | 57° | Mostly Sunny |
| Thursday | 77° | 58° | Partly Sunny |
| Friday | 78° | 58° | Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms |
National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:29 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.
Free frost alerts for 79355
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: Plains, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00417074), elevation 3,675 ft, 4.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver City, TX | 15 mi | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Tatum, NM | 27 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Hobbs, NM | 33 mi | Mar 28 | Nov 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79355?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79355 is April 11. For a safer planting date, use April 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79355?
The average first fall freeze is November 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 17.
What hardiness zone is 79355?
ZIP 79355 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.