Frost dates for 81648Rangely, CO
The average last spring frost in Rangely is May 15 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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) | May 15 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 15 · Jun 2 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 21 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rangely
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81648 is matched to the NOAA station Rangely 1E, CO, 2.3 km away, at 5,277 ft elevation (38 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangely 1E, CO (used) | 5,277 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| Dinosaur 2 E, CO | 6,062 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| Dinosaur Nm, CO | 5,960 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Massadona 3E, CO | 6,140 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Rangely
- Dinosaur, CO 81610 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Bonanza, UT 84008 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Jensen, UT 84035 · last May 20, first Sep 25
- Vernal, UT 84079 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Maybell, CO 81640 · last Jun 16, first Sep 9
- Meeker, CO 81641 · last Jun 4, first Sep 16
- Randlett, UT 84063 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Lapoint, UT 84039 · last May 7, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rangely, CO?
- For ZIP code 81648, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rangely 1E, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Rangely, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81648?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.