Frost Dates for 78741 — Austin, Texas

Half of springs at Austin 6S, TX see their last 32°F night by March 10; only one in ten is past it by February 20, and one in ten still has one after March 31. Planting tender crops after March 18 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 24 20%, and after March 31 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 14 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 17, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 252 days in a typical year, longer than at 55% of the 339 Texas stations; it reaches 277 days one year in ten and falls short of 227 one year in ten. On average 29 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 25, and return around November 6. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 95% of winters and 16°F in 19%.

August is the warmest month at Austin 6S, TX, averaging 97°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 59°F and 37°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 75% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,708 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 62% of the 351 Texas stations. 41% of them (2,773) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 1,054.

The nearest other station, Austin Bergstrom Airport, TX, 4 miles southeast of Austin, has a last frost 2 days later (March 12), a first frost 1 day earlier (November 16).

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 22 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Austin Bergstrom Airport, TX, 4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 78741 is 1 mile from Austin 6S, TX, which stands at 570 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 11 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 78745 (Austin). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 78741 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.