Last frost date in Charlottesville, VA

Average last frost
April 2

The average last frost in Charlottesville is April 2. By April 14 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 10, which leaves 222 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 14
Average first frost
Nov 10
Frost-free season
222 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 22
Next 7 nights in Charlottesville

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 35°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is November 10.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2335°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2436°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2536°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2640°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 2First frost Nov 10222 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND222 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Charlottesville 2W, 2.0 miles from Charlottesville.

Planting calendar for Charlottesville

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Virginia.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 9–Apr 23
PumpkinsApr 16–Apr 30
SunflowersApr 2–Apr 23
CucumbersApr 16–Apr 23
CornApr 9–Apr 23
Sweet potatoesApr 23–May 7
WatermelonApr 16–Apr 30
Green beansApr 9–Apr 30
ZucchiniApr 9–Apr 23
OkraApr 23–May 7
PeppersApr 16–Apr 30
BasilApr 9–Apr 23
Butternut squashApr 9–Apr 23
CantaloupeApr 16–Apr 30
EggplantApr 16–Apr 30
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 5–Mar 19
OnionsFeb 19–Mar 12
CarrotsMar 12–Apr 16
LettuceMar 19–Apr 9
BroccoliMar 5–Mar 19
BeetsMar 5–Apr 16
PeasFeb 19–Mar 5
CabbageMar 5–Mar 19
RadishesFeb 26–Apr 9
Brussels sproutsMar 19–Apr 2
SpinachFeb 19–Mar 12
CilantroMar 19–Apr 9
KaleMar 5–Mar 19
Collard greensMar 5–Mar 19
TurnipsMar 5–Mar 19
DillApr 2–Apr 16
CeleryApr 9–Apr 16
CauliflowerMar 19–Apr 2
LeeksMar 19–Apr 2
Swiss chardMar 19–Apr 16
ParsleyMar 19–Apr 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 27–Dec 1
GarlicOct 20–Nov 24
Daffodil bulbsOct 13–Nov 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 5–Mar 19
AsparagusMar 5–Mar 19

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 16Apr 2Apr 14Oct 29Nov 10Nov 28
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 3Mar 22Apr 4Nov 6Nov 22Dec 11

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Charlottesville 2W (USC00441593) sits 2.0 miles from the center of Charlottesville at 866 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Charlottesville, VA?

The average last frost date in Charlottesville is April 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 14.

When is the first frost in Charlottesville?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 10. One year in ten it arrives before October 29.

How long is the growing season in Charlottesville?

About 222 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Charlottesville?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 9 to April 23. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia