Frost Dates for 77836 — Caldwell, Texas

Half of springs at Somerville Dam, TX see their last 32°F night by March 18; only one in ten is past it by February 25, and one in ten still has one after April 6. Planting tender crops after March 27 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 1 20%, and after April 6 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 9 in half of years, as early as October 26 one year in ten, and holds off past November 30 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around November 23; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 24, 13 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 267 days one year in ten and falls short of 211 one year in ten. On average 37 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 14 days longer, to about April 1, and return around November 1. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 43%.

August is the warmest month at Somerville Dam, TX, averaging 98°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 62°F and 35°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 82% of years and April still brings one in 20% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,621 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 60% of the 351 Texas stations. 41% of them (2,709) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 1,051. Precipitation totals 40.9 inches a year, most in May (4.7") and least in July (1.9"); May to September bring 41% of it.

The nearest other station, College Stn, TX, 19 miles east of Caldwell, has a last frost 19 days earlier (February 27), a first frost 21 days later (November 30), a season 40 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Caldwell, TX, 2.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 77836 is 15 miles from Somerville Dam, TX, which stands at 263 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 77836 in zone 9a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.