Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 14170 — West Falls, NY

ZIP code 14170 (West Falls, Erie County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 14170 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 7
First frostOct 11
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West Falls, NY…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in West Falls, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Colden 1 N, NY — 2 miles away, elevation 1,024 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 14170

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 11) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 14170 came on Apr 6 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in New York

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 77

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 215

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 189

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in West Falls, NY.

Soil in West Falls, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14170 is Valois — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valois gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 14170; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Falls, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, February
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,139base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation53.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall168 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 15 °F 31°15° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 14 °F 33°14° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.84 in precipitation, 50.5 in snowfall 4.8❄51 JanFebruary: 3.88 in precipitation, 37.2 in snowfall 3.9❄37 FebMarch: 3.65 in precipitation, 18.6 in snowfall 3.6❄19 MarApril: 4.45 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 4.5❄8 AprMay: 4.14 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.1 MayJune: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 5.39 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 5.4 OctNovember: 4.81 in precipitation, 14 in snowfall 4.8❄14 NovDecember: 4.53 in precipitation, 38.6 in snowfall 4.5❄39 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colden 1 N, NY (2 mi away); precipitation: Colden 1w, NY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

140336a
Colden, NY · 3 mi
141276a
Orchard Park, NY · 5 mi
141106a
North Boston, NY · 5 mi
140256a
Boston, NY · 6 mi
140526a
East Aurora, NY · 7 mi
142736b
Buffalo, NY · 7 mi
141395b
South Wales, NY · 7 mi
140695b
Glenwood, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14170

What planting zone is ZIP code 14170?

ZIP code 14170 (West Falls, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in West Falls, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14170 is May 7; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colden 1 N station.

When is the first frost in West Falls, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14170 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14170?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14170 get?

About 53.3 inches of precipitation a year and 168 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colden 1w station).

How hot do summers get in West Falls, NY?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14170 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valois at the center of ZIP 14170: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in West Falls, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14170 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Falls, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14170 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14170 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14170 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.