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Frost Dates in West Virginia
First and last frost dates across West Virginia, computed from 44 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 23
statewide median · range Apr 7–May 15
First fall frost
Oct 22
statewide median · range Oct 2–Nov 4
Growing season
180 days
median · range 138–209
Stations used
44
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Charleston - Yeager Ap · 3 mi | Apr 16 (cautious: May 5) | Oct 26 | 192 days | Apr 30 |
| Huntington | Huntington Tri-State Ap · 6 mi | Apr 14 (cautious: May 3) | Oct 26 | 195 days | Apr 28 |
| Morgantown | Morgantown Muni Ap · 3 mi | Apr 23 (cautious: May 14) | Oct 24 | 182 days | May 7 |
How frost varies across West Virginia
Spring frost timing spans about 38 days across the state. London Locks in southwestern West Virginia typically sees its last spring frost around April 7, while Canaan Valley #2 in eastern West Virginia doesn't clear frost until about May 15. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in West 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 May 7 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 38-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 44 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 West Virginia?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 23, but it ranges from April 7 to May 15 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 West Virginia?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around May 7 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 West Virginia?
The median growing season across 44 NOAA stations is 180 days, ranging from 138 to 209 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within West Virginia?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across West Virginia, last spring frost dates span about 38 days — from around April 7 near London Locks to May 15 near Canaan Valley #2. 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.