Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 82081 — Meriden, WY

ZIP code 82081 (Meriden, Laramie County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 82081 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 21
First frostSep 21
2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Service

Loading the forecast for Meriden, WY…

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 Meriden, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 8
Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Phillips, WY — 6 miles away, elevation 4,984 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 82081

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 82081 came on Mar 1 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

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).

Native plants for zone 5a in Wyoming

542 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wyoming, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 22

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 249

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 161

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Meriden, WY.

Soil in Meriden, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82081 is Valent — loamy fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valent loamy fine sand, rolling.

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 82081; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meriden, WY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, December
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,309base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation15.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall53 inper year; 43 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 17 °F 42°17° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 17 °F 44°17° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 24 °F 53°24° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 48 °F 80°48° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 52 °F 86°52° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 43 °F 77°43° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 32 °F 63°32° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 16 °F 42°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.30 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.3❄7 JanFebruary: 0.43 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 0.4❄9 FebMarch: 0.86 in precipitation, 7.8 in snowfall 0.9❄8 MarApril: 1.79 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 1.8❄6 AprMay: 2.82 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 2.8❄2 MayJune: 2.08 in precipitation 2.1 JunJuly: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 JulAugust: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 1.42 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.4 SepOctober: 1.27 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 1.3❄4 OctNovember: 0.64 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.6❄7 NovDecember: 0.48 in precipitation, 9.9 in snowfall 0.5❄10 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Phillips, WY (6 mi away); precipitation: Phillips, WY (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.

822215a
Lagrange, WY · 11 mi
820505b
Albin, WY · 13 mi
820605a
Hillsdale, WY · 17 mi
822105a
Chugwater, WY · 19 mi
820535a
Burns, WY · 21 mi
820095b
Cheyenne, WY · 22 mi
822175a
Hawk Springs, WY · 24 mi
820035b
Cheyenne, WY · 24 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82081

What planting zone is ZIP code 82081?

ZIP code 82081 (Meriden, WY) 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 Meriden, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82081 is May 21; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Phillips station.

When is the first frost in Meriden, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82081 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82081?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 82081 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year and 53 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Phillips station).

How hot do summers get in Meriden, WY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82081 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valent at the center of ZIP 82081: loamy fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Meriden, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82081 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meriden, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82081 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).