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

Planting zone for 16353 — Tionesta, PA

ZIP code 16353 (Tionesta, Forest County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 16353 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 1

First frostOct 25

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 Tionesta, 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 Tionesta, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA — 3 miles away, elevation 1,201 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 16353

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 16353 came on Mar 27 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

average
Apr 102026
Mar 27

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 Pennsylvania

598 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Tionesta, PA.

Soil in Tionesta, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16353 is Cookport — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cookport silt loam, 0 to 15 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 16353; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tionesta, PA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights145nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,858base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall51 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: Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA (3 mi away); precipitation: Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

163216a

East Hickory, PA · 5 mi

163706a

West Hickory, PA · 5 mi

163616a

Tylersburg, PA · 7 mi

Lickingville, PA · 9 mi

163416a

Pleasantville, PA · 10 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16353

What planting zone is ZIP code 16353?

ZIP code 16353 (Tionesta, 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 Tionesta, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16353 is May 1; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tionesta 2 Se Lake station.

When is the first frost in Tionesta, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16353 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16353?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16353 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year and 51 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tionesta 2 Se Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Tionesta, PA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16353 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cookport at the center of ZIP 16353: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tionesta, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16353 came on Mar 27 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tionesta, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16353 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16353 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16353 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.