Frost dates for 24366Rocky Gap, VA
The average last spring frost in Rocky Gap is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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) | May 1 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 13 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rocky 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 | Apr 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24366 is matched to the NOAA station Bland, VA, 17.6 km away, at 2,000 ft elevation (100 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bland, VA (used) | 2,000 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Bluefield Mercer Co Ap, WV | 2,870 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Bluefield, WV | 2,870 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Athens, WV | 2,495 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Rocky Gap
- Bluefield, WV 24701 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Princeton, WV 24739 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Bastian, VA 24314 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Kegley, WV 24731 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Bland, VA 24315 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Montcalm, WV 24737 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Nemours, WV 24738 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Falls Mills, VA 24613 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rocky Gap, VA?
- For ZIP code 24366, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bland, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Rocky Gap, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24366?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.