Frost dates for ZIP 79776 (Ector County, 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, Penwell, TX (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)244 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) | Feb 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 14 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 6 |
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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 2 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
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 79776
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
64°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 Monahans 6 ENE (18 mi), Pecos County Line (61 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 (18 mi), Pecos County Line (61 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 | 66° | 47° | Sunny |
| Monday | 74° | 54° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 77° | 58° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 79° | 61° | Mostly Sunny |
| Thursday | 81° | 62° | Mostly Sunny |
| Friday | 81° | 63° | Mostly Sunny then 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 79776
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: Penwell, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00416932), elevation 2,933 ft, 3.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane 10N, TX | 11 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
| Odessa, TX | 14 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX | 14 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 5 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79776?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79776 is March 14. For a safer planting date, use April 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79776?
The average first fall freeze is November 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 30.
What hardiness zone is 79776?
ZIP 79776 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
Other ZIP codes in Ector County
79741 79758 79759 79761 79762 79763 79764 79766 79769 All Ector County ZIPs