Frost dates for 24801Welch, WV
The average last spring frost in Welch is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 15 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 15 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Welch
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24801 is matched to the NOAA station Pineville, WV, 16.3 km away, at 1,320 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville, WV (used) | 1,320 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
| Elkhorn, WV | 1,948 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| Oceana 2 Se, WV | 1,320 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Mullens 3 E, WV | 1,564 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Welch
- Premier, WV 24878 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Kimball, WV 24853 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Davy, WV 24828 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Gary, WV 24836 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Eckman, WV 24829 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Wilcoe, WV 24895 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Thorpe, WV 24888 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Big Sandy, WV 24816 · last Apr 15, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Welch, WV?
- For ZIP code 24801, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pineville, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Welch, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24801?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.