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

Planting zone for 16657 — James Creek, PA

ZIP code 16657 (James Creek, Huntingdon County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 16657 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 19

First frostOct 28

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 James Creek, 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 James Creek, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Raystown Lake 2, PA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 16657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 16657 came on Mar 20 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 20

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 James Creek, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16657 is Calvin — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Calvin shaly 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 16657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in James Creek, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,189base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 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)

Precipitation40.7 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: Raystown Lake 2, PA (6 mi away); precipitation: Raystown Lake 2, PA (6 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.

Martinsburg, PA · 8 mi

166786b

Saxton, PA · 9 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16657

What planting zone is ZIP code 16657?

ZIP code 16657 (James Creek, 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 James Creek, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16657 is April 19; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raystown Lake 2 station.

When is the first frost in James Creek, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16657 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16657 get?

About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raystown Lake 2 station).

How hot do summers get in James Creek, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16657 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calvin at the center of ZIP 16657: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in James Creek, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16657 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in James Creek, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16657 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).