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

Planting zone for 82242 — Van Tassell, WY

ZIP code 82242 (Van Tassell, Niobrara County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 82242 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 17
First frostSep 28
2012 zone4b

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 Service

Loading the forecast for Van Tassell, 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 Van Tassell, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Torrington 29n, WY — 11 miles away, elevation 4,859 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 82242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 82242 came on Mar 17 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 Van Tassell, WY.

Soil in Van Tassell, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82242 is Phiferson — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Phiferson-Trelona fine sandy loams, 3 to 10 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 82242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Van Tassell, WY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,291base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation14.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 15 °F 38°15° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 49 °F 78°49° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 56 °F 87°56° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 45 °F 76°45° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 32 °F 60°32° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 JanFebruary: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 JunJuly: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 JulAugust: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 SepOctober: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Torrington 29n, WY (11 mi away); precipitation: Lusk 10.1 Sse, WY (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

693465a
Harrison, NE · 18 mi
822195a
Jay Em, WY · 21 mi
822255a
Lusk, WY · 24 mi
822275a
Manville, WY · 31 mi
822155a
Hartville, WY · 31 mi
822125a
Fort Laramie, WY · 34 mi
822405a
Torrington, WY · 34 mi
822235a
Lingle, WY · 38 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82242

What planting zone is ZIP code 82242?

ZIP code 82242 (Van Tassell, 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 Van Tassell, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82242 is May 17; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Torrington 29n station.

When is the first frost in Van Tassell, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82242 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 82242 get?

About 14.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lusk 10.1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Van Tassell, WY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Phiferson at the center of ZIP 82242: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Van Tassell, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82242 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Van Tassell, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82242 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 82242 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 82242 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.