Frost dates for 26506Morgantown, WV
The average last spring frost in Morgantown is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 19 · May 4 · May 23 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 14 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 10 · Apr 30 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Morgantown
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26506 is matched to the NOAA station Morgantown Hart Fld, WV, 4 km away, at 1,240 ft elevation (121 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown Hart Fld, WV (used) | 1,240 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 24 |
| Morgantown L&D, WV | 825 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 23 |
| Pt Marion Lock 8, PA | 810 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 23 |
| Lake Lynn, WV | 900 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Morgantown
- Morgantown, WV 26505 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Granville, WV 26534 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Osage, WV 26543 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Maidsville, WV 26541 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Pursglove, WV 26546 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Dellslow, WV 26531 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Cassville, WV 26527 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Point Marion, PA 15474 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Morgantown, WV?
- For ZIP code 26506, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morgantown Hart Fld, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Morgantown, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26506?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.