Frost Dates for 76542 — Killeen, Texas

Half of springs at Killeen, TX see their last 32°F night by March 14; only one in ten is past it by February 24, and one in ten still has one after April 4. Planting tender crops after March 24 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 29 20%, and after April 4 10%. The 21 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 50% of the 339 Texas stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 17 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 6 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 30; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 22, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 247 days in a typical year, shorter than at 51% of the 339 Texas stations; it reaches 276 days one year in ten and falls short of 217 one year in ten. On average 31 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 17 days longer, to about March 31, and return around November 7. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 98% of winters and 16°F in 30%.

August is the warmest month at Killeen, TX, averaging 97°F by day and 73°F at night; January is the coldest at 60°F and 36°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 77% of years and April still brings one in 15% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,526 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 57% of the 351 Texas stations. 40% of them (2,623) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 1,074. Precipitation totals 34.8 inches a year, most in May (4.7") and least in August (1.6"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX, 14 miles east of Killeen, has the same 50% last-frost date, a first frost 3 days later (November 20), a season 4 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 22 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Killeen, TX, 5.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 76542 is 5 miles from Killeen, TX, which stands at 815 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 76549 (Killeen). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 76542 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.