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

Planting zone for 16218 — Cowansville, PA

ZIP code 16218 (Cowansville, Armstrong County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 16218 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 frostMay 4

First frostOct 16

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 Cowansville, 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 Cowansville, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Ford City 4 S Dam, PA — 15 miles away, elevation 932 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 16218

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 16218 came on Mar 21 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 21

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.

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 Cowansville, PA.

Soil in Cowansville, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16218 is Ernest — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ernest 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 16218; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cowansville, PA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,793base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ford City 4 S Dam, PA (15 mi away); precipitation: Ford City 4 S Dam, PA (15 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.

160286b

East Brady, PA · 3 mi

162106b

Adrian, PA · 4 mi

162626b

Worthington, PA · 7 mi

Karns City, PA · 8 mi

162486a

Rimersburg, PA · 9 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16218

What planting zone is ZIP code 16218?

ZIP code 16218 (Cowansville, 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 Cowansville, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16218 is May 4; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ford City 4 S Dam station.

When is the first frost in Cowansville, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16218 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16218?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16218 get?

About 44.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ford City 4 S Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Cowansville, PA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16218 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ernest at the center of ZIP 16218: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cowansville, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16218 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cowansville, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16218 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16218 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16218 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.