Frost dates for ZIP 79761 (Odessa, 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, Odessa, TX (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)243 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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 15 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 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) | Nov 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 16 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 2 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 3 | 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 Odessa
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Monahans 6 ENE (32 mi).
4-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Monahans 6 ENE (32 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 | 41° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 66° | 48° | Sunny |
| Monday | 74° | 55° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 77° | 59° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 80° | 61° | Mostly Sunny |
| Thursday | 81° | 63° | Mostly Sunny |
| Friday | 82° | 64° | Mostly 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 79761
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: Odessa, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00416502), elevation 2,910 ft, 1.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX | 5 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
| Midland Odessa, TX | 11 mi | Mar 18 | Nov 14 |
| Crane 10N, TX | 13 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 4 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79761?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79761 is March 15. For a safer planting date, use April 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79761?
The average first fall freeze is November 16. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 79761?
ZIP 79761 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
Other ZIP codes in Ector County
79741 79758 79759 79762 79763 79764 79766 79769 79776 All Ector County ZIPs