Frost dates for 26416Philippi, WV
The average last spring frost in Philippi is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 23 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 5 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Philippi
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26416 is matched to the NOAA station Buckhannon, WV, 24.9 km away, at 1,455 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhannon, WV (used) | 1,455 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Tygart Dam, WV | 1,235 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Belington, WV | 1,769 ft | May 6 | Oct 13 |
| Clarksburg Benedum Ap, WV | 1,203 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Philippi
- Galloway, WV 26349 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Volga, WV 26238 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Simpson, WV 26435 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Flemington, WV 26347 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Moatsville, WV 26405 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Rosemont, WV 26424 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Belington, WV 26250 · last May 6, first Oct 13
- Grafton, WV 26354 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Philippi, WV?
- For ZIP code 26416, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buckhannon, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Philippi, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26416?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.