Frost dates for ZIP 79853 (Tornillo, 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 (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)227 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) | 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 date | Date |
|---|---|
| 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
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 5 | Nov 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 Tornillo
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
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station PGF Fabens, 6 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
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station PGF Fabens, 6 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.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 48° | Mostly Clear | |
| Sunday | 77° | 54° | Sunny |
| Monday | 83° | 60° | Mostly Sunny |
| Tuesday | 87° | 63° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 89° | 64° | Partly Sunny |
| Thursday | 88° | 64° | Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms |
| Friday | 87° | 60° | Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers |
National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:35 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.
Free frost alerts for 79853
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: Tornillo 2 SSE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00419088), elevation 3,525 ft, 2.2 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 Hancock 8SSE, TX | 26 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| El Paso 32 ENE, TX | 28 mi | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| El Paso Intl AP, TX | 32 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
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 79853?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79853 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 79853?
The average first fall freeze is November 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 79853?
ZIP 79853 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
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