Frost dates for 24458Mc Dowell, VA
The average last spring frost in Mc Dowell is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 4 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 8 · May 26 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 18 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mc Dowell
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24458 is matched to the NOAA station Mustoe 1 Sw, VA, 14 km away, at 2,367 ft elevation (84 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mustoe 1 Sw, VA (used) | 2,367 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Mill Gap, VA | 2,421 ft | May 12 | Oct 3 |
| Frost 3Ne, WV | 2,905 ft | May 10 | Oct 5 |
| Bartow 1S, WV | 3,025 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Mc Dowell
- Head Waters, VA 24442 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Mustoe, VA 24468 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Monterey, VA 24465 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Doe Hill, VA 24433 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- West Augusta, VA 24485 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Williamsville, VA 24487 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Deerfield, VA 24432 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Blue Grass, VA 24413 · last May 9, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mc Dowell, VA?
- For ZIP code 24458, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mustoe 1 Sw, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Mc Dowell, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24458?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.