Frost dates for 24503Lynchburg, VA
The average last spring frost in Lynchburg is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 2 · Apr 15 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lynchburg
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24503 is matched to the NOAA station Lynchburg #2, VA, 6.7 km away, at 736 ft elevation (14 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg #2, VA (used) | 736 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA | 940 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Bedford, VA | 894 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Tye Rvr 1 Se, VA | 720 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Lynchburg
- Lynchburg, VA 24514 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Madison Heights, VA 24572 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Coleman Falls, VA 24536 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Monroe, VA 24574 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Forest, VA 24551 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Sweet Briar, VA 24595 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Big Island, VA 24526 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Goode, VA 24556 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lynchburg, VA?
- For ZIP code 24503, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lynchburg #2, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Lynchburg, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24503?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.