Frost dates for ZIP 79601 (Abilene, 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, Abilene 6ESE, TX (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)218 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°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 10 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 1 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 19 |
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 21 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
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 Abilene
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Burnt Branch (36 mi), Bronte 11 NNE (51 mi), Winton Milliff Runnells (55 mi).
4-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Burnt Branch (36 mi), Bronte 11 NNE (51 mi), Winton Milliff Runnells (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
No frost in the 7-day forecast.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 40° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 69° | 48° | Sunny |
| Monday | 76° | 54° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 82° | 59° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 85° | 62° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 87° | 64° | Mostly Sunny |
| Friday | 87° | 66° | Mostly Sunny |
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 79601
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: Abilene 6ESE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410013), elevation 1,802 ft, 9.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Rgnl AP, TX | 11 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Anson, TX | 20 mi | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Albany, TX | 22 mi | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79601?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79601 is April 1. For a safer planting date, use April 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79601?
The average first fall freeze is November 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 21.
What hardiness zone is 79601?
ZIP 79601 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.