Frost dates for 26561Big Run, WV
The average last spring frost in Big Run is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 29 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 22 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Big Run
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26561 is matched to the NOAA station Mannington 8 Wnw, WV, 10.7 km away, at 1,100 ft elevation (280 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mannington 8 Wnw, WV (used) | 1,100 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Burton, WV | 1,240 ft | May 4 | Oct 12 |
| Hannibal Locks & Dam, OH | 620 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
| Middlebourne 3 Ese, WV | 779 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Big Run
- Jacksonburg, WV 26377 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Pine Grove, WV 26419 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Smithfield, WV 26437 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Littleton, WV 26581 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Folsom, WV 26348 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Metz, WV 26585 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Hundred, WV 26575 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Reader, WV 26167 · last May 1, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Big Run, WV?
- For ZIP code 26561, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mannington 8 Wnw, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Big Run, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26561?
- 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.