Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for El Paso, TX
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring
As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.
While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.
Key dates for your spring planting:
- By April 27, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
- Around April 9, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
- Before March 28, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them
If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 16° | Feb 19 | Feb 4 | Jan 24 | Jan 12 | Dec 30 | Dec 7 | -- | -- | -- |
| Last 20° | Mar 1 | Feb 17 | Feb 8 | Jan 31 | Jan 23 | Jan 16 | Jan 8 | Dec 29 | Dec 14 |
| Last 24° | Mar 28 | Mar 15 | Mar 6 | Feb 26 | Feb 19 | Feb 11 | Feb 3 | Jan 25 | Jan 12 |
| Last 28° | Apr 3 | Mar 25 | Mar 19 | Mar 14 | Mar 9 | Mar 4 | Feb 27 | Feb 20 | Feb 12 |
| Last 32° | Apr 12 | Apr 4 | Mar 30 | Mar 26 | Mar 22 | Mar 18 | Mar 13 | Mar 8 | Mar 1 |
| Last 36° | Apr 27 | Apr 21 | Apr 16 | Apr 12 | Apr 9 | Apr 5 | Apr 1 | Mar 28 | Mar 21 |
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall
As summer ends in El Paso, TX, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.
The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:
These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 16° | Dec 6 | Dec 16 | Dec 24 | Jan 1 | Jan 11 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| First 20° | Nov 20 | Nov 30 | Dec 6 | Dec 12 | Dec 18 | Dec 23 | Dec 30 | Jan 7 | Jan 22 |
| First 24° | Nov 15 | Nov 20 | Nov 25 | Nov 28 | Dec 2 | Dec 5 | Dec 8 | Dec 13 | Dec 18 |
| First 28° | Oct 31 | Nov 7 | Nov 12 | Nov 16 | Nov 19 | Nov 23 | Nov 27 | Dec 2 | Dec 8 |
| First 32° | Oct 25 | Oct 30 | Nov 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 11 | Nov 14 | Nov 17 | Nov 22 |
| First 36° | Oct 18 | Oct 22 | Oct 25 | Oct 28 | Oct 30 | Nov 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 12 |
📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations
- Ysleta, TX 11.8 mi
- La Tuna, TX 17.3 mi
- Jornada Exp Range, NM 61.9 mi
- Ft Hancock, TX 64.7 mi
- Cornudas Svc Stn, TX 69.9 mi
- White Sands Natl Mon, NM 73.8 mi
- Columbus, NM 80.3 mi
- Aleman Rch, NM 86.9 mi
- Sierra Blanca, TX 87.5 mi
- Alamogordo, NM 88.0 mi
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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.