Frost dates for 26241Elkins, WV
The average last spring frost in Elkins is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 30 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 15 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 5 · May 21 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 13 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkins
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26241 is matched to the NOAA station Elkins Randolph Co Ap, WV, 4.5 km away, at 1,979 ft elevation (50 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkins Randolph Co Ap, WV (used) | 1,979 ft | May 5 | Oct 12 |
| Belington, WV | 1,769 ft | May 6 | Oct 13 |
| Glady 1 N, WV | 2,840 ft | May 15 | Oct 3 |
| Parsons 3 Se, WV | 1,775 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Elkins
- Norton, WV 26285 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Junior, WV 26275 · last May 6, first Oct 13
- Beverly, WV 26253 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Coalton, WV 26257 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Bowden, WV 26254 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Mabie, WV 26278 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Kerens, WV 26276 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Belington, WV 26250 · last May 6, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkins, WV?
- For ZIP code 26241, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elkins Randolph Co Ap, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Elkins, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26241?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.