Frost dates for 25202Tornado, WV
The average last spring frost in Tornado is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 30 · May 16 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 18 · May 6 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tornado
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 25202 is matched to the NOAA station Saint Albans, WV, 5.4 km away, at 646 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Albans, WV (used) | 646 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Charleston Wfo, WV | 918 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Winfield Locks, WV | 621 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 30 |
| Charleston Yeager Ap, WV | 910 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Tornado
- Saint Albans, WV 25177 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Alum Creek, WV 25003 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Institute, WV 25112 · last Apr 18, first Oct 30
- Nitro, WV 25143 · last Apr 18, first Oct 30
- Sod, WV 25564 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Dunbar, WV 25064 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Charleston, WV 25313 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Sumerco, WV 25567 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tornado, WV?
- For ZIP code 25202, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saint Albans, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Tornado, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. 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 25202?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.