El Paso, Texas Frost Dates, Growing Season & Hardiness Zone

When is the last frost in El Paso?

Expect the last 32°F night by Mar 2 in a typical year; 1 year in 10 still freezes after Mar 19. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically last longer, until around Mar 18. Hard freezes (28°F) typically end sooner, around Feb 16.

In El Paso, late frosts can come well after the typical date. The safer 1-in-10 date (Mar 19) is 17 days after the typical date (Mar 2). Tender plants set out early will need cover on cold nights.

Cold nights don't end with the last freeze. The typical last 36°F night (frost possible on plants in low spots) comes around Mar 18, 16 days after the typical last 32°F night. On clear, calm nights, frost can form on leaves while the thermometer still reads above freezing.

Is it too early to plant in El Paso?

Before Mar 2 the odds of another 32°F night are better than even; after Mar 19 they are about 1 in 10 or less.

Today's risk is computed in your browser from the same NOAA probability table, shown as the range between the two nearest NOAA probability levels.

When is the first frost in El Paso?

Half of years get their first 32°F night by Nov 20. In 1 year out of 10, it arrives as early as Nov 6. The first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Nov 10, and the first 28°F hard freeze around Dec 1.

To time a fall crop, count back from the typical first frost (Nov 20) or the safer Nov 6. The planting calendar works it out crop by crop.

How long is El Paso's growing season?

In a typical year, El Paso gets 261 days between the last and first 32°F nights. About 1 year in 10, the season is shorter than 237 days.

This much frost-free time means many crops can go in twice, in spring and again for a fall harvest.

Growing degree days measure the heat available for crops to grow. The station averages 6,347 a year (base 50°F).

How does El Paso's season compare?

Of the 6 Texas cities with frost dates on this site, El Paso has a typical frost-free season of 261 days, which is the shortest.

Nationwide, across the 56 cities with frost dates on this site, the typical frost-free season here outlasts the one in 41 of them and falls short of the one in 14.

Growing degree days (base 50°F)

Annual normal: 6,347 GDD (NOAA flag S, 26 years). Running total by the end of each month (sum of NOAA daily GDD normals, so the year-end total can differ slightly from the annual normal):

What growing zone is El Paso? (USDA 2023)

El Paso is in USDA zone 8b on the 2023 map, which means an average coldest winter night of 15 to 20°F. Most of the city was 8a on the 2012 map, and 21 of 24 city ZIPs found in both tables moved up half a zone.

Zones: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed 2026-10-08. Shown as published in the ZIP tables; this page does not show a zone map. Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).

Does the new zone change El Paso's frost dates?

No. A hardiness zone reflects only the average coldest winter temperature, not the timing of spring or fall frost. El Paso's frost dates come from NOAA's 1991–2020 frost probabilities, and the 2023 zone map didn't change them. Pick perennials that survive winter by zone; time your planting by frost dates.

Why do El Paso frost dates differ between websites?

If you've seen Mar 9 listed as El Paso's last frost date, that's the 30%-risk date: about 3 years in 10 still get a 32°F night after it. We lead with Mar 2, the 50% (median) date.

Mar 19 is the date we call 'safer': it's the 10%-risk date, with a 32°F night after it in only about 1 year in 10.

Mar 18 is the 50% date for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants), not a 32°F freeze. Sites that treat 36°F as the danger line show later dates.

Sites also pick different weather stations. Within 25 miles of the city center, the 3 stations that meet our quality rules put the typical (50%) last 32°F frost anywhere from Feb 28 to Mar 23 (table below).

Which weather station is this based on?

Station

El Paso International Airport (NOAA USW00023044, WBAN/ASOS-AWOS)

Distance

4.1 mi SE of the city center

Elevation

3,918 ft; city center 3,891 ft (USGS), difference +27 ft

Record

NOAA completeness flag S, 28 of 30 years (1991–2020)

Confidence

High (rule)

Confidence: High. The station is close (4.1 miles from the city center), its elevation differs by just 27 ft, and its frost statistics meet our completeness rule (NOAA flag S, 28 of 30 years).

El Paso planting dates at a glance

Balanced dates use the 30%-risk last-frost date as the anchor. The El Paso planting calendar has typical and safe dates, fall planting and a month-by-month list for 26 vegetables.

When to plant tomatoes in El Paso · Fall planting dates for El Paso

Frost dates near El Paso

All Texas cities

Frequently asked questions

What is the average last frost date in El Paso?

The typical (median, 50%) last 32°F night in El Paso is Mar 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals at El Paso International Airport. For a safer target, use Mar 19; after that, only about 1 year in 10 still has a freeze.

When is the first frost in El Paso?

Expect the first 32°F night by Nov 20 in a typical year, and as early as Nov 6 in about 1 year out of 10. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Nov 10.

What growing zone is El Paso, Texas?

El Paso is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the current 2023 map. On the older 2012 map, most of the city was 8a, so older references may list that zone.

Is it too early to plant in El Paso?

For frost-tender plants, yes if it's before Mar 2: until then, the odds of another 32°F night are better than even. Between Mar 2 and Mar 19, the risk falls from 50% to 10%. Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can go in weeks earlier; see the planting calendar.

What temperature is a killing frost?

A light frost is enough to kill tender crops such as tomatoes. CSU Extension describes 28–32°F as a light frost and anything below 28°F as a heavy frost. We report NOAA odds at three thresholds: 36°F (frost possible on plants), 32°F (freeze, our headline) and 28°F (hard freeze).

Is first frost the same as first freeze?

Not quite. A freeze is when the air reaches 32°F. Frost is ice that forms on surfaces, and on calm, clear nights it can form with the air a few degrees above freezing. So in El Paso, the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Nov 10, before the first 32°F night (Nov 20).

Download & sources

• Add El Paso frost & planting dates to your calendar (.ics, 2027)
• Printable planting calendar (PDF)
• How these numbers are calculated

Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal and daily normals, station USW00023044); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone ZIP tables 2023 and 2012 by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; Census 2020 ZIP/place relationship file; USGS elevation. Long-term odds, not a forecast. Figures and sentences are generated from these data by fixed rules; see the methodology. Last updated 2026-10-08.