Frost dates for 26426Salem, WV
The average last spring frost in Salem is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 21 · May 4 · May 21 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 22 · May 11 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 24 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salem
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26426 is matched to the NOAA station Clarksburg 1, WV, 17.9 km away, at 990 ft elevation (56 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg 1, WV (used) | 990 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 23 |
| W Union 2, WV | 806 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
| Weston, WV | 1,023 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 26 |
| Clarksburg Benedum Ap, WV | 1,203 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Reynoldsville, WV 26422 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
- Clarksburg, WV 26306 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
- Smithburg, WV 26436 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Wallace, WV 26448 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Center Point, WV 26339 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- West Milford, WV 26451 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
- New Milton, WV 26411 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Lumberport, WV 26386 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, WV?
- For ZIP code 26426, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarksburg 1, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Salem, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26426?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.