Frost dates for 81610Dinosaur, CO
The average last spring frost in Dinosaur is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 31 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dinosaur
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81610 is matched to the NOAA station Dinosaur 2 E, CO, 1.3 km away, at 6,062 ft elevation (155 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur 2 E, CO (used) | 6,062 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| Dinosaur Nm, CO | 5,960 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Rangely 1E, CO | 5,277 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| Massadona 3E, CO | 6,140 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Dinosaur
- Rangely, CO 81648 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Bonanza, UT 84008 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Jensen, UT 84035 · last May 20, first Sep 25
- Dinosaur, CO 81633 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Vernal, UT 84079 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Randlett, UT 84063 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Maybell, CO 81640 · last Jun 16, first Sep 9
- Lapoint, UT 84039 · last May 7, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dinosaur, CO?
- For ZIP code 81610, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dinosaur 2 E, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Dinosaur, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81610?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.