Frost dates for 26651Summersville, WV
The average last spring frost in Summersville is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 29 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 5 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 25 · May 16 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Summersville
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 17 |
| 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 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 17 |
| 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 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26651 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Nebo 1 S, WV, 12.6 km away, at 1,953 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Nebo 1 S, WV (used) | 1,953 ft | May 5 | Oct 7 |
| Summersville Lake, WV | 1,768 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Richwood 1Sse, WV | 3,090 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV | 1,296 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Summersville
- Drennen, WV 26667 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Gilboa, WV 26671 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Canvas, WV 26662 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Calvin, WV 26660 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Keslers Cross Lanes, WV 26675 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Mount Lookout, WV 26678 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Mount Nebo, WV 26679 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Pool, WV 26684 · last May 5, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Summersville, WV?
- For ZIP code 26651, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Nebo 1 S, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Summersville, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26651?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.