Frost dates for 26847Petersburg, WV
The average last spring frost in Petersburg is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (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 5 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 23 · May 13 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Petersburg
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 – Jun 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26847 is matched to the NOAA station Petersburg, WV, 1 km away, at 960 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg, WV (used) | 960 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Moorefield 1 Sse, WV | 890 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Canaan Valley #2, WV | 3,254 ft | May 15 | Oct 2 |
| Davis 3Se, WV | 3,715 ft | May 9 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Petersburg
- Maysville, WV 26833 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Fisher, WV 26818 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Moorefield, WV 26836 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Cabins, WV 26855 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Milam, WV 26838 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Lahmansville, WV 26731 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Old Fields, WV 26845 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Upper Tract, WV 26866 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Petersburg, WV?
- For ZIP code 26847, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Petersburg, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Petersburg, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26847?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.