Virginia Frost Dates and Planting Zones
Across 1,133 ZIP codes we matched to a NOAA weather station, Virginia’s last spring frost (50% risk, 32°F) ranges from May 10 near Frost 3ne to Mar 16 near Norfolk Nas. First fall frost runs from Oct 5 near Bartow 1s to Nov 26 near Norfolk Nas. Look up your exact ZIP code on the frost date tool for a station-matched result and hardiness zone.
Frost dates by city in Virginia
The 12 weather stations covering the most VA ZIP codes, at the 50% and 10% probability levels (32°F threshold). The 10% date is later and safer to plant after; the 50% date is the typical planning date.
| Station | Last frost (50%) | Last frost (10%) | First frost (50%) | First frost (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Hill | Apr 21 | May 10 | Oct 25 | Oct 12 |
| Vienna | Apr 14 | Apr 28 | Oct 29 | Oct 17 |
| Washington Reagan ap | Mar 24 | Apr 6 | Nov 18 | Nov 5 |
| Richmond Intl ap | Apr 3 | Apr 18 | Nov 4 | Oct 23 |
| Sandston | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | Oct 22 |
| Corbin | Apr 14 | May 4 | Oct 27 | Oct 13 |
| n | Apr 1 | Apr 15 | Nov 10 | Oct 31 |
| Norfolk s | Mar 23 | Apr 6 | Nov 16 | Nov 4 |
| st Inigoes Webster Nolf | Mar 30 | Apr 11 | Nov 14 | Oct 29 |
| Cape Charles 5 Ene | Mar 28 | Apr 10 | Nov 17 | Nov 4 |
| Richlands | Apr 27 | May 14 | Oct 18 | Oct 5 |
| Dale Enterprise | Apr 21 | May 7 | Oct 23 | Oct 9 |
USDA hardiness zones in Virginia
Share of Virginia ZIP codes in each 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. 66.2% of VA ZIP codes moved to a different zone between the 2012 and 2023 maps, mostly warming as winter lows trended up.
| Zone (2023) | Share of VA ZIPs |
|---|---|
| 6a | 0.4% |
| 6b | 3% |
| 7a | 29.1% |
| 7b | 44.5% |
| 8a | 17.5% |
| 8b | 5.6% |
Climate is shifting
Averaged across VA stations with both normals periods, the last spring frost now lands about 2 days earlier than the 1981–2010 normal. First fall frost now lands about 3 days later, stretching or shrinking the frost-free season depending on the station.
Plan around your Virginia frost dates
Once you know your local last and first frost, these guides help you time the work around them: