Frost dates for 81252Westcliffe, CO
The average last spring frost in Westcliffe is June 11 and the average first fall frost is September 9, giving a typical growing season of about 89 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 9
- Growing season
- 89 days
Safer after Jun 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 222 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.
| 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) | — | — | 60 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 29 · Jun 11 · Jun 28 | Aug 28 · Sep 9 · Sep 23 | 89 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 16 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 114 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Westcliffe
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jul 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – May 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Aug 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – May 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Jul 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 30 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81252 is matched to the NOAA station Westcliffe, CO, 3 km away, at 7,873 ft elevation (208 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westcliffe, CO (used) | 7,873 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 9 |
| Crestone 2 Se, CO | 8,004 ft | May 26 | Sep 26 |
| Canon City, CO | 5,378 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Great Sand Dunes Np & Preserve, CO | 8,183 ft | May 21 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Westcliffe
- Hillside, CO 81232 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Wetmore, CO 81253 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Crestone, CO 81131 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Cotopaxi, CO 81223 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Rockvale, CO 81244 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Coal Creek, CO 81221 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Moffat, CO 81143 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Canon City, CO 81215 · last May 29, first Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Westcliffe, CO?
- For ZIP code 81252, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Westcliffe, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 28.
- When is the first frost in Westcliffe, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81252?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 89 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.