Frost dates for 25962Rainelle, WV
The average last spring frost in Rainelle is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 27 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 3 · May 21 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 9 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rainelle
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 | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 25962 is matched to the NOAA station Lewisburg 3 N, WV, 35.3 km away, at 2,300 ft elevation (95 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisburg 3 N, WV (used) | 2,300 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Rupert 4 N, WV | 3,319 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Mt Nebo 1 S, WV | 1,953 ft | May 5 | Oct 7 |
| Alderson, WV | 1,552 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Rainelle
- Charmco, WV 25958 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Spring Dale, WV 25986 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Rupert, WV 25984 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Leslie, WV 25972 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Meadow Bridge, WV 25976 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Quinwood, WV 25981 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Crawley, WV 24931 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Danese, WV 25831 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rainelle, WV?
- For ZIP code 25962, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lewisburg 3 N, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Rainelle, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 25962?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.