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

Planting zone for 14171 — West Valley, NY

ZIP code 14171 (West Valley, Cattaraugus County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 14171 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 14
First frostOct 6
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West Valley, 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 Valley, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Franklinville, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 1,591 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 14171

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 14171 came on Apr 10 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 5b in New York

609 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 75

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 120

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 208

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 185

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 7

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 honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Valley, NY.

Soil in West Valley, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14171 is Mongaup — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mongaup channery silt loam, 8 to 15 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 14171; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Valley, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, February
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,129base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation44.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall109 inper year; 95 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 14 °F 31°14° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.33 in precipitation, 29.8 in snowfall 3.3❄30 JanFebruary: 2.49 in precipitation, 21.5 in snowfall 2.5❄22 FebMarch: 2.98 in precipitation, 17.1 in snowfall 3.0❄17 MarApril: 3.46 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 3.5❄4 AprMay: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.3❄1 OctNovember: 3.69 in precipitation, 11.9 in snowfall 3.7❄12 NovDecember: 3.55 in precipitation, 23.9 in snowfall 3.5❄24 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Franklinville, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: Franklinville, NY (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

147296a
East Otto, NY · 5 mi
141015b
Machias, NY · 6 mi
141415b
Springville, NY · 8 mi
147315b
Ellicottville, NY · 8 mi
140425b
Delevan, NY · 9 mi
147665b
Otto, NY · 9 mi
140555b
East Concord, NY · 10 mi
141345b
Sardinia, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14171

What planting zone is ZIP code 14171?

ZIP code 14171 (West Valley, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in West Valley, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14171 is May 14; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklinville station.

When is the first frost in West Valley, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14171 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14171?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14171 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year and 109 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklinville station).

How hot do summers get in West Valley, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14171 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mongaup at the center of ZIP 14171: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 14171 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Valley, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14171 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14171 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14171 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.