When is the last frost in Lake City, CO?

For ZIP code 81235, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rio Grande Rsvr, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 30.

When is the first frost in Lake City, CO?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 81235?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 85 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.

Frost dates for 81235Lake City, CO

The average last spring frost in Lake City is June 15 and the average first fall frost is September 11, giving a typical growing season of about 85 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jun 15
Average first fall frost: Sep 11
Growing season: 85 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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
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)	—	—	53 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Jun 2 · Jun 15 · Jun 30	Aug 27 · Sep 11 · Sep 23	85 days	100%
Hard freeze (28°F)	May 14 · May 31 · Jun 16	Sep 11 · Sep 23 · Oct 5	115 days	100%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 81235 is matched to the NOAA station Rio Grande Rsvr, CO, 29.6 km away, at 9,493 ft elevation (455 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Rio Grande Rsvr, CO (used)	9,493 ft	Jun 15	Sep 11
Lake City, CO	8,667 ft	Jun 8	Sep 17
Lake City 1Nne, CO	8,714 ft	Jun 9	Sep 17
Santa Maria Rsvr, CO	9,687 ft	—	—

Frost dates near Lake City

Ouray, CO 81427 · last May 17, first Oct 1
Powderhorn, CO 81243 · last Jun 21, first Sep 5
Silverton, CO 81433 · last —, first —
Creede, CO 81130 · last —, first —
Ridgway, CO 81432 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
Telluride, CO 81435 · last —, first —
Cimarron, CO 81220 · last Jun 9, first Sep 16
Ophir, CO 81426 · last —, first —

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lake City, CO?: For ZIP code 81235, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rio Grande Rsvr, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 30.
When is the first frost in Lake City, CO?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 81235?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 85 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.