Wyoming frost dates

Last spring frostMay 20
First fall frostSeptember 15
Frost-free days118

Across Wyoming, the average last spring frost is around May 20 and the average first fall frost around September 15 - roughly 118 frost-free days. USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a.

Risk you acceptLast spring frost byFirst fall frost by
Cautious (~10%)June 3September 1
Average (~50%)May 20September 15
Gambler (~90%)May 6September 29

Wyoming spans a wide range of elevations and climates - your town’s dates can differ from the state average by two weeks or more. Look up your exact ZIP.

What these dates mean for planting in Wyoming

Counted from the average frost dates above. For every crop, see the full Wyoming planting calendar.

Frost dates by zone in Wyoming

Wyoming spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a. Colder zones - usually higher or further inland - have later spring and earlier fall frosts than the state average.

ZoneTypical last frostTypical first frostSeason
Zone 3May 15September 15120 days
Zone 4May 10September 25135 days
Zone 5April 30October 5160 days
Zone 6April 15October 15185 days

Frost dates in nearby states

StateLast frostFirst frost
MontanaMay 15September 15
IdahoMay 10September 25
ColoradoMay 5October 1
UtahMay 5October 5
NevadaApril 20October 10

Questions gardeners ask

When is the last frost in Wyoming?

The statewide average last spring frost is around May 20. There is still roughly a one-in-two chance of frost on that date, so for tender plants a safer date is about two weeks later, around June 3. Wyoming covers a wide range of elevations and climates, so check your own ZIP code.

When is the first frost in Wyoming?

The average first fall frost is around September 15. Frost-tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash should be harvested or covered before then; an early frost two weeks sooner, around September 1, happens in roughly one year in ten.

How long is the growing season in Wyoming?

About 118 frost-free days on average between the last spring frost and the first fall frost. That is a short season, so start warm-season crops indoors and choose quick-maturing varieties.

When can I plant tomatoes outside in Wyoming?

Plant tomato transplants outdoors between May 20 – June 6, once nights stay above about 50°F. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Is it safe to plant on the average last frost date?

For hardy crops such as peas, spinach, onions and cabbage, yes - they handle a light frost. For tender crops, no: the average date still carries about a 50% chance of a later frost, so wait one to two weeks or keep row cover ready.

→ Turn these into sowing dates with the Wyoming planting calendar, look up an exact ZIP code, or read how frost dates work. Month by month: what to plant in February · what to plant in March · what to plant in April · what to plant in May · what to plant in June · what to plant in July · what to plant in August · what to plant in September · what to plant in October.

Statewide average from NOAA/NCEI freeze normals. Cautious and gambler dates are about two weeks either side of the average.