Frost dates for 26209Snowshoe, WV
The average last spring frost in Snowshoe is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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) | May 5 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 12 · May 29 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Snowshoe
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26209 is matched to the NOAA station Snowshoe, WV, 1.9 km away, at 4,847 ft elevation (897 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe, WV (used) | 4,847 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Frost 3Ne, WV | 2,905 ft | May 10 | Oct 5 |
| Marlinton, WV | 2,150 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Bartow 1S, WV | 3,025 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Snowshoe
- Cass, WV 24927 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Slatyfork, WV 26291 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Valley Head, WV 26294 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Dunmore, WV 24934 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Green Bank, WV 24944 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Monterville, WV 26282 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Arbovale, WV 24915 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Marlinton, WV 24954 · last May 11, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Snowshoe, WV?
- For ZIP code 26209, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Snowshoe, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Snowshoe, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26209?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.