Frost Dates for 81226 — Florence, Colorado

Half of springs at Canon City, CO see their last 32°F night by May 4; only one in ten is past it by April 24, and one in ten still has one after May 18. Planting tender crops after May 9 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 13 20%, and after May 18 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 45% of the 110 Colorado stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 7 in half of years, as early as September 25 one year in ten, and holds off past October 19 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around October 17; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 7, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 153 days in a typical year, longer than at 66% of the 110 Colorado stations; it reaches 169 days one year in ten and falls short of 136 one year in ten. On average 144 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 12 days longer, to about May 16, and return around September 28. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 14 and March 22.

July is the warmest month at Canon City, CO, averaging 89°F by day and 59°F at night; December is the coldest at 49°F and 19°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 67% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,011 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 77% of the 110 Colorado stations. 32% of them (958) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 742. Precipitation totals 14.1 inches a year, most in July (2.3") and least in December (0.5"); May to September bring 57% of it.

The nearest other station, Pueblo Rsvr, CO, 24 miles east of Florence and 517 feet lower, has a last frost 8 days earlier (April 26), a first frost 6 days later (October 13), a season 13 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Florence usually arrives around October 31, and the last of the season around April 27. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Canon City, CO, 7.5 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 7 days after the last snow.

ZIP 81226 is 8 miles from Canon City, CO, which stands at 5,378 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 81212 (Canon City). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 81226 in zone 6a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -10 to -5°F (-23.3 to -20.6°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.