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

Planting zone for 15456 — Lemont Furnace, PA

ZIP code 15456 (Lemont Furnace, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 15456 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 30
First frostOct 18
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lemont Furnace, PA…

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 Lemont Furnace, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Uniontown 1 Ne, PA — 4 miles away, elevation 955 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 15456

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 15456 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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 6b in Pennsylvania

605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 76

Shrubs 122

Wildflowers & perennials 209

Grasses 173

Vines 10

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 Lemont Furnace, PA.

Soil in Lemont Furnace, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15456 is Gilpin — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter72%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin channery 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 15456; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lemont Furnace, PA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,185base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Uniontown 1 Ne, PA (4 mi away); precipitation: Uniontown 1.7 Nne, PA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15456

What planting zone is ZIP code 15456?

ZIP code 15456 (Lemont Furnace, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Lemont Furnace, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15456 is April 30; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Uniontown 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Lemont Furnace, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15456 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15456?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15456 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Uniontown 1.7 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Lemont Furnace, PA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15456 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 15456: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lemont Furnace, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15456 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lemont Furnace, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15456 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 15456 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 15456 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.