Frost dates for 77640Port Arthur, TX
The average last spring frost in Port Arthur is February 14 and the average first fall frost is December 7, giving a typical growing season of about 301 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 14
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 7
- Growing season
- 301 days
Safer after Mar 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 36 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 5 · Mar 4 · Mar 27 | Nov 3 · Nov 23 · Dec 12 | 264 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 14 · Mar 13 | Nov 15 · Dec 7 · Jan 9 | 301 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 23 · Jan 28 · Mar 3 | Dec 1 · Jan 1 · Feb 3 | 338 days | 79% |
Planting calendar for Port Arthur
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Mar 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Apr 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 3 – Dec 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Sep 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Apr 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 27 – Dec 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77640 is matched to the NOAA station Port Arthur Se Tx Ap, TX, 10.4 km away, at 16 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur Se Tx Ap, TX (used) | 16 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| Beaumont City, TX | 20 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 4 |
| Beaumont Rsch Ctr, TX | 27 ft | Feb 18 | Dec 2 |
| Orange 9 N, TX | 18 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Port Arthur
- Port Arthur, TX 77642 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Groves, TX 77619 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Nederland, TX 77627 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Port Neches, TX 77651 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Sabine Pass, TX 77655 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Bridge City, TX 77611 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Beaumont, TX 77705 · last Feb 14, first Dec 4
- Orangefield, TX 77639 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Port Arthur, TX?
- For ZIP code 77640, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Port Arthur Se Tx Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 13.
- When is the first frost in Port Arthur, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77640?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 301 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.