Frost dates for 25321Charleston, 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 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 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 25321 is matched to the NOAA station Charleston Yeager Ap, WV, 5 km away, at 910 ft elevation (313 ft higher 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 |
| Charleston Wfo, WV | 918 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Saint Albans, WV | 646 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Sissonville 1Sw, WV | 632 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Charleston
- Charleston, WV 25322 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- South Charleston, WV 25303 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- 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
- Tad, WV 25201 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Pinch, WV 25156 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Alum Creek, WV 25003 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charleston, WV?
- For ZIP code 25321, 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 25321?
- 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.