Last frost date in Charleston, WV

Average last frost
April 16

Expect the last frost in Charleston around April 16. Frost after May 5 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 192 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 13 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 5
Average first frost
Oct 26
Frost-free season
192 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 1
Next 7 nights in Charleston

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2440°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 16First frost Oct 26192 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND192 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Charleston Yeager Airport, 3.1 miles from Charleston.

Planting calendar for Charleston

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 23–May 7
PumpkinsApr 30–May 14
SunflowersApr 16–May 7
CucumbersApr 30–May 7
CornApr 23–May 7
Sweet potatoesMay 7–May 21
WatermelonApr 30–May 14
Green beansApr 23–May 14
ZucchiniApr 23–May 7
OkraMay 7–May 21
PeppersApr 30–May 14
BasilApr 23–May 7
Butternut squashApr 23–May 7
CantaloupeApr 30–May 14
EggplantApr 30–May 14
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 19–Apr 2
OnionsMar 5–Mar 26
CarrotsMar 26–Apr 30
LettuceApr 2–Apr 23
BroccoliMar 19–Apr 2
BeetsMar 19–Apr 30
PeasMar 5–Mar 19
CabbageMar 19–Apr 2
RadishesMar 12–Apr 23
Brussels sproutsApr 2–Apr 16
SpinachMar 5–Mar 26
CilantroApr 2–Apr 23
KaleMar 19–Apr 2
Collard greensMar 19–Apr 2
TurnipsMar 19–Apr 2
DillApr 16–Apr 30
CeleryApr 23–Apr 30
CauliflowerApr 2–Apr 16
LeeksApr 2–Apr 16
Swiss chardApr 2–Apr 30
ParsleyApr 2–Apr 23
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 19–Apr 2
AsparagusMar 19–Apr 2

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 1Apr 16May 5Oct 13Oct 26Nov 6
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 16Apr 1Apr 17Oct 24Nov 5Nov 19

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 Charleston Yeager Airport (USW00013866) sits 3.1 miles from the center of Charleston at 910 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 Charleston, WV?

The average last frost date in Charleston is April 16, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 5.

When is the first frost in Charleston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 13.

How long is the growing season in Charleston?

About 192 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Charleston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 23 to May 7. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in West Virginia

All 5 cities in West Virginia