Last frost date in Winchester, VA

Average last frost
April 11

The average last frost in Winchester is April 11. By April 29 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 29, which leaves 200 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 14 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 29
Average first frost
Oct 29
Frost-free season
200 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 31
Next 7 nights in Winchester

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 33°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2241°
  2. FriOct 2333°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2433°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2535°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2744°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 11First frost Oct 29200 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND200 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Winchester, 1.6 miles from Winchester.

Planting calendar for Winchester

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 18–May 2
PumpkinsApr 25–May 9
SunflowersApr 11–May 2
CucumbersApr 25–May 2
CornApr 18–May 2
Sweet potatoesMay 2–May 16
WatermelonApr 25–May 9
Green beansApr 18–May 9
ZucchiniApr 18–May 2
OkraMay 2–May 16
PeppersApr 25–May 9
BasilApr 18–May 2
Butternut squashApr 18–May 2
CantaloupeApr 25–May 9
EggplantApr 25–May 9
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 14–Mar 28
OnionsFeb 28–Mar 21
CarrotsMar 21–Apr 25
LettuceMar 28–Apr 18
BroccoliMar 14–Mar 28
BeetsMar 14–Apr 25
PeasFeb 28–Mar 14
CabbageMar 14–Mar 28
RadishesMar 7–Apr 18
Brussels sproutsMar 28–Apr 11
SpinachFeb 28–Mar 21
CilantroMar 28–Apr 18
KaleMar 14–Mar 28
Collard greensMar 14–Mar 28
TurnipsMar 14–Mar 28
DillApr 11–Apr 25
CeleryApr 18–Apr 25
CauliflowerMar 28–Apr 11
LeeksMar 28–Apr 11
Swiss chardMar 28–Apr 25
ParsleyMar 28–Apr 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 15–Nov 19
GarlicOct 8–Nov 12
Daffodil bulbsOct 1–Nov 12
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 14–Mar 28
AsparagusMar 14–Mar 28

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 30Apr 11Apr 29Oct 14Oct 29Nov 11
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 15Mar 31Apr 12Oct 27Nov 9Nov 25

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 Winchester (USC00449181) sits 1.6 miles from the center of Winchester at 720 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 Winchester, VA?

The average last frost date in Winchester is April 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 29.

When is the first frost in Winchester?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 29. One year in ten it arrives before October 14.

How long is the growing season in Winchester?

About 200 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Winchester?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 18 to May 2. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia