Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 79331 — Lamesa, TX

ZIP code 79331 (Lamesa, Dawson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 79331 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostNov 4
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lamesa, TX…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Lamesa, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Lamesa 1 Sse, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 2,966 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 79331

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 4) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 79331 came on Feb 10 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Lamesa, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79331 is Midessa — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.55%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 79331; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lamesa, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,997base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation16.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 26 °F 55°26° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 36 °F 69°36° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 44 °F 77°44° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 55 °F 85°55° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 64 °F 92°64° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 66 °F 94°66° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 65 °F 93°65° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 27 °F 56°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.60 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.6❄1 JanFebruary: 0.71 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.7❄1 FebMarch: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 JunJuly: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 JulAugust: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 1.04 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.0❄1 NovDecember: 0.80 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.8❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lamesa 1 Sse, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Lamesa 1 Sse, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

797138a
Ackerly, TX · 18 mi
793778a
Welch, TX · 20 mi
793518a
Odonnell, TX · 22 mi
797838a
Tarzan, TX · 24 mi
793428a
Loop, TX · 26 mi
797488a
Knott, TX · 26 mi
797388a
Gail, TX · 29 mi
797498a
Lenorah, TX · 30 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79331

What planting zone is ZIP code 79331?

ZIP code 79331 (Lamesa, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Lamesa, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79331 is April 4; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lamesa 1 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Lamesa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79331 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79331?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79331 get?

About 16.8 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lamesa 1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Lamesa, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79331 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Midessa at the center of ZIP 79331: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lamesa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79331 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lamesa, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79331 is 14 h 18 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79331 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79331 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.