Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 15938 — Lilly, PA

ZIP code 15938 (Lilly, Cambria County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 15938 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 17

First frostOct 2

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 Lilly, 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 Lilly, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,939 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 15938

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 15938 came on Mar 25 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 25

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).

Soil in Lilly, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15938 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, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 15938; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lilly, PA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,143base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation48.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall80 inper year; 70 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA (8 mi away); precipitation: Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA (8 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.

Duncansville, PA · 6 mi

Summerhill, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15938

What planting zone is ZIP code 15938?

ZIP code 15938 (Lilly, PA) 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 Lilly, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15938 is May 17; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ebensburg Sewage Plt station.

When is the first frost in Lilly, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15938 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15938?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15938 get?

About 48.7 inches of precipitation a year and 80 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ebensburg Sewage Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Lilly, PA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15938 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 15938: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lilly, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15938 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lilly, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15938 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 15938 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 15938 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.