Frost dates for 81332Rico, CO
Frost is possible in any month near Rico, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Telluride 4Wnw, CO station.
Frost is possible in any month. Even summer nights can drop to freezing at this station, so protect tender plants whenever cold nights are forecast.
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) | — | — | 26 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | — | — | 60 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 31 · Jun 15 · Jun 30 | Sep 2 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 91 days | 100% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81332 is matched to the NOAA station Telluride 4Wnw, CO, 32 km away, at 8,646 ft elevation (134 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride 4Wnw, CO (used) | 8,646 ft | — | — |
| Silverton, CO | 9,286 ft | — | — |
| Placerville, CO | 7,383 ft | May 26 | Sep 29 |
| Mancos 1Sw, CO | 6,897 ft | Jun 4 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Rico
- Ophir, CO 81426 · last —, first —
- Telluride, CO 81435 · last —, first —
- Silverton, CO 81433 · last —, first —
- Placerville, CO 81430 · last May 26, first Sep 29
- Mancos, CO 81328 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Dolores, CO 81323 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Durango, CO 81301 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- Ouray, CO 81427 · last May 17, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rico, CO?
- Frost is possible in any month at the nearest NOAA station (Telluride 4Wnw, CO), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
- When is the first frost in Rico, CO?
- Frost is possible in any month at the nearest NOAA station.
- 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.