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Frost Dates in Virginia
First and last frost dates across Virginia, computed from 74 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
Apr 15
statewide median · range Mar 16–May 9
First fall frost
Oct 28
statewide median · range Oct 5–Nov 26
Growing season
196 days
median · range 148–255
Stations used
74
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Oceana Nas · 3 mi | Mar 29 (cautious: Apr 11) | Nov 12 | 230 days | Apr 12 |
| Richmond | Richmond Intl Ap · 7 mi | Apr 3 (cautious: Apr 18) | Nov 4 | 215 days | Apr 17 |
| Arlington | Washington Reagan Natl Ap · 4 mi | Mar 24 (cautious: Apr 6) | Nov 18 | 241 days | Apr 7 |
| Norfolk | Norfolk Nas · 1 mi | Mar 16 (cautious: Apr 1) | Nov 26 | 255 days | Mar 30 |
How frost varies across Virginia
Spring frost timing spans about 54 days across the state. Norfolk in southeastern Virginia typically sees its last spring frost around March 16, while Burkes Garden in southwestern Virginia doesn't clear frost until about May 9. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Virginia
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around April 29 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 54-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 74 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Virginia?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 15, but it ranges from March 16 to May 9 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Virginia?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 29 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Virginia?
The median growing season across 74 NOAA stations is 196 days, ranging from 148 to 255 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Virginia?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Virginia, last spring frost dates span about 54 days — from around March 16 near Norfolk to May 9 near Burkes Garden. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.