Frost dates for ZIP 79735 (Fort Stockton, 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, Ft Stockton, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)254 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 8 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 1 |
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 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 23 | Dec 1 |
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 Fort Stockton
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Escalera Ranch Headquarters, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 74°, Fri 64°.
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Escalera Ranch Headquarters, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 75°, Fri 68°.
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 | 41° | Partly Cloudy | |
| Sunday | 72° | 48° | Sunny |
| Monday | 79° | 55° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 81° | 59° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 82° | 61° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 83° | 62° | Mostly Sunny |
| Friday | 84° | 63° | Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers |
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 79735
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: Ft Stockton, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00413280), elevation 3,038 ft, 9.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Stockton Pecos AP, TX | 10 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Bakersfield, TX | 33 mi | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Grandfalls 3SSE, TX | 36 mi | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 25 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79735?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79735 is March 8. For a safer planting date, use April 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79735?
The average first fall freeze is November 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 79735?
ZIP 79735 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.