Frost dates for 41563Shelby Gap, KY
The average last spring frost in Shelby Gap is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 25 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shelby Gap
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41563 is matched to the NOAA station Clintwood 1W, VA, 10.1 km away, at 1,566 ft elevation (254 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clintwood 1W, VA (used) | 1,566 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Breaks Interstate Park, VA | 1,893 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 23 |
| Whitesburg 2Se, KY | 1,240 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Wise 1Se, VA | 2,564 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Shelby Gap
- Ashcamp, KY 41512 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Dorton, KY 41520 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Burdine, KY 41517 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Hellier, KY 41534 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Myra, KY 41549 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Jonancy, KY 41538 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Lookout, KY 41542 · last Apr 21, first Oct 26
- Clintwood, VA 24228 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shelby Gap, KY?
- For ZIP code 41563, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clintwood 1W, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Shelby Gap, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41563?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.