Frost dates for 24131Paint Bank, VA
The average last spring frost in Paint Bank is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 26 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 19 · May 9 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Paint Bank
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24131 is matched to the NOAA station White Sulphur Springs, WV, 24.2 km away, at 1,919 ft elevation (82 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Sulphur Springs, WV (used) | 1,919 ft | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Union 3 Sse, WV | 2,110 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Lewisburg 3 N, WV | 2,300 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Roanoke 8 N, VA | 1,157 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Paint Bank
- Gap Mills, WV 24941 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- New Castle, VA 24127 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Secondcreek, WV 24974 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Waiteville, WV 24984 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Union, WV 24983 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Oriskany, VA 24130 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Wolfcreek, WV 24993 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paint Bank, VA?
- For ZIP code 24131, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the White Sulphur Springs, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Paint Bank, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24131?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.