Frost dates for 78501Mcallen, TX
Frost occurs in about 48% of years near Mcallen, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Mcallen, TX station.
Frost occurs in about 48% of years. Frost-tender plants can usually grow year-round, but cover them if a rare cold snap is forecast.
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) | Dec 20 · Jan 27 · Mar 1 | Nov 27 · Dec 19 · Jan 26 | 330 days | 87% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 14 · Jan 9 · Feb 12 | Dec 8 · Jan 1 · Feb 4 | 365 days | 48% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 15 · Jan 4 · Feb 9 | Dec 14 · Jan 2 · Feb 6 | 365 days | 16% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78501 is matched to the NOAA station Mcallen, TX, 3 km away, at 100 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcallen, TX (used) | 100 ft | Jan 9 | Jan 1 |
| Mcallen Miller Intl Ap, TX | 100 ft | Jan 9 | Jan 3 |
| Edinburg, TX | 96 ft | Jan 8 | Jan 2 |
| La Joya, TX | 213 ft | Jan 23 | Dec 28 |
Frost dates near Mcallen
- Mcallen, TX 78505 · last Jan 9, first Jan 1
- Pharr, TX 78577 · last Jan 9, first Jan 1
- San Juan, TX 78589 · last Jan 9, first Jan 1
- Edinburg, TX 78539 · last Jan 8, first Jan 2
- Mission, TX 78572 · last Jan 9, first Jan 1
- Alamo, TX 78516 · last Jan 8, first Jan 2
- Hidalgo, TX 78557 · last Jan 9, first Jan 3
- Donna, TX 78537 · last Jan 8, first Dec 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mcallen, TX?
- Frost occurs in about 48% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Mcallen, TX), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
- When is the first frost in Mcallen, TX?
- Frost occurs in about 48% of years at the nearest NOAA station.
- 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.