Frost Dates for 76539 — Kempner, Texas

Half of springs at Lampasas, TX see their last 32°F night by March 22; only one in ten is past it by March 2, and one in ten still has one after April 10. Planting tender crops after March 31 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 4 20%, and after April 10 10%. The 19 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 63% of the 339 Texas stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 12 in half of years, as early as October 29 one year in ten, and holds off past December 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around November 26; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 31, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 238 days in a typical year, shorter than at 65% of the 339 Texas stations; it reaches 265 days one year in ten and falls short of 211 one year in ten. On average 55 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 12 days longer, to about April 3, and return around November 3. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 39%.

August is the warmest month at Lampasas, TX, averaging 97°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 60°F and 34°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 88% of years and April still brings one in 30% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,370 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 51% of the 351 Texas stations. 40% of them (2,558) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 1,058. Precipitation totals 32.2 inches a year, most in May (4.6") and least in July (1.9"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Killeen, TX, 17 miles east of Kempner and 217 feet lower, has a last frost 8 days earlier (March 14), a first frost 5 days later (November 17), a season 9 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Copperas Cove 5 NW, TX, 6.3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 76539 is 12 miles from Lampasas, TX, which stands at 1,032 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station; its figures are presented in full for 76550 (Lampasas). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 76539 in zone 8b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.