Frost dates for 24445Hot Springs, VA
The average last spring frost in Hot Springs is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 23 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hot Springs
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24445 is matched to the NOAA station Hot Springs, VA, 5.3 km away, at 2,244 ft elevation (217 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs, VA (used) | 2,244 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Gathright Dam, VA | 1,770 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
| Covington Fltr Plt, VA | 1,244 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Buckeye, WV | 2,123 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Hot Springs
- Bacova, VA 24412 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Millboro, VA 24460 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Clifton Forge, VA 24422 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Selma, VA 24474 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Low Moor, VA 24457 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Iron Gate, VA 24448 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Warm Springs, VA 24484 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Covington, VA 24426 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hot Springs, VA?
- For ZIP code 24445, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hot Springs, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Hot Springs, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24445?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.