Frost dates for 24277Pennington Gap, VA
The average last spring frost in Pennington Gap is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 20 · May 3 · May 20 | Oct 1 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pennington Gap
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 | Mar 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24277 is matched to the NOAA station Pennington Gap, VA, 1.4 km away, at 1,360 ft elevation (238 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennington Gap, VA (used) | 1,360 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Big Stone Gap, VA | 1,466 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Baxter, KY | 1,164 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 30 |
| Rogersville 1 Ne, TN | 1,355 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Pennington Gap
- Dryden, VA 24243 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Keokee, VA 24265 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Saint Charles, VA 24282 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Jonesville, VA 24263 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Blackwater, VA 24221 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Closplint, KY 40927 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Holmes Mill, KY 40843 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Cranks, KY 40820 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pennington Gap, VA?
- For ZIP code 24277, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pennington Gap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Pennington Gap, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24277?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.