Planting zone for 81649 — Red Cliff, CO
ZIP code 81649 (Red Cliff, Eagle County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 21 and the first fall frost September 7.
Where ZIP 81649 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Red Cliff, CO…
Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.
Frost dates in Red Cliff, CO
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 31 and returns around September 21.
From the NOAA station Vail, CO — 11 miles away, elevation 8,304 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.
When to plant vegetables in 81649
Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 21) and first fall frost (Sep 7) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.
When spring arrived in 2026
In 2026, spring leaf-out near 81649 came on May 8 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 22).
May 222026
May 8
The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).
Soil in Red Cliff, CO
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81649 is Sawpit family — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.
Map unit: Sawpit-Eyre families complex, 40 to 65 percent slopes.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 81649; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Red Cliff, CO
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Climax, CO (10 mi away); precipitation: Copper Mountain, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 81649
What planting zone is ZIP code 81649?
ZIP code 81649 (Red Cliff, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).
When is the last frost in Red Cliff, CO?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81649 is June 21; after July 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vail station.
When is the first frost in Red Cliff, CO?
The median first fall frost near 81649 is September 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 77 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 81649?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 26 – May 10 and set transplants outside around Jun 28 – Jul 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 81649 get?
About 28.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Copper Mountain station).
How hot do summers get in Red Cliff, CO?
The average high peaks at 67 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 81649 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Sawpit family at the center of ZIP 81649: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Red Cliff, CO in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 81649 came on May 8 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Red Cliff, CO?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81649 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 81649 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81649 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.