Frost dates for ZIP 79842 (Marathon, 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, Marathon, TX (19 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)205 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) | Mar 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 7 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 26 |
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 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 13 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 20 | Nov 8 |
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 Marathon
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Escalera Ranch Headquarters (43 mi), Escalera Flat Farm (46 mi), Alamito Ranch (58 mi).
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Escalera Ranch Headquarters (43 mi), Escalera Flat Farm (46 mi), Alamito Ranch (58 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 | 39° | Partly Cloudy | |
| Sunday | 63° | 44° | Sunny |
| Monday | 73° | 49° | Sunny |
| Tuesday | 75° | 54° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 77° | 57° | Mostly Sunny |
| Thursday | 78° | 58° | Partly Sunny |
| Friday | 79° | 59° | Partly 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 79842
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: Marathon, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415579), elevation 3,989 ft, 19.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persimmon Gap, TX | 26 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 20 |
| Sanderson, TX | 39 mi | Mar 11 | Nov 11 |
| Terlingua Rch 2, TX | 44 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 33 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 79842?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79842 is April 7. For a safer planting date, use April 26, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79842?
The average first fall freeze is November 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 18.
What hardiness zone is 79842?
ZIP 79842 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.