Frost Dates for 79766 — Odessa, Texas

Half of springs at Crane 10N, TX see their last 32°F night by March 15; only one in ten is past it by February 26, and one in ten still has one after April 2. Planting tender crops after March 22 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 27 20%, and after April 2 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 75% 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 28 one year in ten, and holds off past November 29 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 24; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 22, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 242 days in a typical year, shorter than at 58% of the 339 Texas stations; it reaches 267 days one year in ten and falls short of 216 one year in ten. On average 49 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 30, and return around November 4. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 53%.

July is the warmest month at Crane 10N, TX, averaging 95°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 59°F and 32°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 12% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,165 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 62% of the 351 Texas stations. 43% of them (2,641) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,017. Precipitation totals 14.6 inches a year, most in September (1.9") and least in February (0.6"); May to September bring 61% of it.

The nearest other station, Odessa, TX, 9 miles north of Odessa, has the same 50% last-frost date, a first frost 4 days later (November 16), a season 1 day longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 5 of 27 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Odessa, TX, 9.3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 79766 is 8 miles from Crane 10N, TX, which stands at 2,927 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 79766 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.