Frost Dates for 76705 — Waco, Texas

Half of springs at Waco Dam, TX see their last 32°F night by March 9; only one in ten is past it by February 17, and one in ten still has one after April 4. Planting tender crops after March 19 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 27 20%, and after April 4 10%. The 26 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 84% 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 20 in half of years, as early as November 2 one year in ten, and holds off past December 9 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around December 3; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 21, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 256 days in a typical year, longer than at 60% of the 339 Texas stations; it reaches 284 days one year in ten and falls short of 224 one year in ten. On average 38 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 15 days longer, to about March 24, and return around November 10. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 95% of winters and 16°F in 30%.

August is the warmest month at Waco Dam, TX, averaging 95°F by day and 75°F at night; January is the coldest at 59°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 68% of years and April still brings one in 14% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,532 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 57% of the 351 Texas stations. 40% of them (2,594) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 1,088. Precipitation totals 37.6 inches a year, most in May (4.4") and least in July (1.9"); May to September bring 41% of it.

The nearest other station, Waco Regional Airport, TX, 8 miles west of Waco, has a last frost 6 days later (March 15), a first frost 5 days earlier (November 15), a season 11 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Waco Dam, TX, 7.6 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 76705 is 8 miles from Waco Dam, TX, which stands at 495 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 10 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 76706 (Robinson). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 76705 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.