YardThisWeek

Frost dates for ZIP 79838 (Fabens, 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, Tornillo 2 SSE, TX (8 miles away).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLight blue: spring freeze risk (90% to 10%). Tan: fall freeze risk (10% to 90%). Dark lines: 50% dates.

Last spring frost odds

Chance of a 32°F freeze after this dateDate
90% (early: most years still freeze after this)Mar 5
50% (the "average" last frost)Mar 21
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 dateDate
10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon)Oct 24
50% (the "average" first frost)Nov 6
90% (late: most years have frozen by now)Nov 18

Light frost, freeze and hard freeze

ThresholdLast spring (50%)First fall (50%)
36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights)Apr 9Oct 29
32°F (freeze)Mar 21Nov 6
28°F (hard freeze)Mar 5Nov 14

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 Fabens

Soil temperature now

2-inch depth

62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT

30°50°55°70°90°

Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station PGF Fabens, 2 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 70°, Fri 66°.

4-inch depth

65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT

30°50°55°70°90°

Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station PGF Fabens, 2 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 70°, 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.

PeriodHighLowForecast
Tonight47°Mostly Clear
Sunday77°54°Sunny
Monday82°60°Sunny
Tuesday87°62°Sunny
Wednesday88°64°Partly Sunny
Thursday88°63°Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Friday86°59°Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:28 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.

Where these numbers come from

Station: Tornillo 2 SSE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00419088), elevation 3,525 ft, 8.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).

Nearby stations

StationDistanceLast frost (50%)First frost (50%)
El Paso Intl AP, TX26 miMar 2Nov 20
El Paso 32 ENE, TX27 miMar 24Nov 11
Ft Hancock 8SSE, TX32 miMar 29Nov 6

The average last-frost dates of these stations span 27 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.

Questions

When is the last frost in 79838?

The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79838 is March 21. 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 79838?

The average first fall freeze is November 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.

What hardiness zone is 79838?

ZIP 79838 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 El Paso County

79821 79835 79836 79849 79853 79901 79902 79903 79904 79905 79906 79907 79908 79911 79912 79915 79916 79918 79920 79922 79924 79925 79927 79928 All El Paso County ZIPs