Last frost date in Wheeling, WV

Average last frost
April 20

Expect the last frost in Wheeling around April 20. Frost after May 6 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 29, which leaves 192 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 6
Average first frost
Oct 29
Frost-free season
192 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 6
Next 7 nights in Wheeling

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2436°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2539°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 20First frost Oct 29192 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND192 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Wheeling, 2.1 miles from Wheeling.

Planting calendar for Wheeling

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 27–May 11
PumpkinsMay 4–May 18
SunflowersApr 20–May 11
CucumbersMay 4–May 11
CornApr 27–May 11
Sweet potatoesMay 11–May 25
WatermelonMay 4–May 18
Green beansApr 27–May 18
ZucchiniApr 27–May 11
OkraMay 11–May 25
PeppersMay 4–May 18
BasilApr 27–May 11
Butternut squashApr 27–May 11
CantaloupeMay 4–May 18
EggplantMay 4–May 18
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 23–Apr 6
OnionsMar 9–Mar 30
CarrotsMar 30–May 4
LettuceApr 6–Apr 27
BroccoliMar 23–Apr 6
BeetsMar 23–May 4
PeasMar 9–Mar 23
CabbageMar 23–Apr 6
RadishesMar 16–Apr 27
Brussels sproutsApr 6–Apr 20
SpinachMar 9–Mar 30
CilantroApr 6–Apr 27
KaleMar 23–Apr 6
Collard greensMar 23–Apr 6
TurnipsMar 23–Apr 6
DillApr 20–May 4
CeleryApr 27–May 4
CauliflowerApr 6–Apr 20
LeeksApr 6–Apr 20
Swiss chardApr 6–May 4
ParsleyApr 6–Apr 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 15–Nov 19
GarlicOct 8–Nov 12
Daffodil bulbsOct 1–Nov 12
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 23–Apr 6
AsparagusMar 23–Apr 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 5Apr 20May 6Oct 15Oct 29Nov 10
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 25Apr 6Apr 21Oct 29Nov 9Nov 22

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 Wheeling (USC00469482) sits 2.1 miles from the center of Wheeling at 645 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 Wheeling, WV?

The average last frost date in Wheeling is April 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 6.

When is the first frost in Wheeling?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 29. One year in ten it arrives before October 15.

How long is the growing season in Wheeling?

About 192 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Wheeling?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 27 to May 11. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in West Virginia

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