Frost dates for 25302Charleston, WV
The average last spring frost in Charleston is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (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 14 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Oct 5 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 5 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Charleston
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 6 |
| 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 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 25302 is matched to the NOAA station Charleston Yeager Ap, WV, 2.5 km away, at 910 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Yeager Ap, WV (used) | 910 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Sissonville 1Sw, WV | 632 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Charleston Wfo, WV | 918 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Saint Albans, WV | 646 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Charleston
- Charleston, WV 25311 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Elkview, WV 25071 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Pinch, WV 25156 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- South Charleston, WV 25303 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Tad, WV 25201 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Drybranch, WV 25061 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Dunbar, WV 25064 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Institute, WV 25112 · last Apr 18, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charleston, WV?
- For ZIP code 25302, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charleston Yeager Ap, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Charleston, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 25302?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.