Charleston, WV – Frost and freeze season is returning to West Virginia, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that first frost dates are approaching across the Mountain State.
According to the NWS Charleston office, cooler temperatures typically arrive earlier in higher elevation mountain valleys, where frost can form as soon as mid-September. In lower elevation areas, the first frost may not occur until late October or even early November.
The climatology chart shows the following average first frost dates:
- Elkins: Oct. 4 (≤36°F), Oct. 12 (≤32°F), Oct. 21 (≤28°F).
- Beckley: Oct. 12 (≤36°F), Oct. 21 (≤32°F), Oct. 31 (≤28°F).
- Charleston & Huntington: Oct. 17 (≤36°F), Oct. 26 (≤32°F), Nov. 5 (≤28°F).
- Clarksburg: Oct. 13 (≤36°F), Oct. 24 (≤32°F), Nov. 3 (≤28°F).
- Parkersburg: Oct. 12 (≤36°F), Oct. 22 (≤32°F), Nov. 1 (≤28°F).
The agency notes frost has already occurred in some higher valleys this year, with a few locations seeing first frost as early as late August.
Gardeners and homeowners are advised to prepare sensitive plants and outdoor equipment as the season shifts.
For more details, visit the NWS frost and freeze information page at weather.gov/rlx/frost-freeze-information.
