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

Planting zone for 17243 — Orbisonia, PA

ZIP code 17243 (Orbisonia, Huntingdon County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 17243 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 19
First frostOct 28
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Orbisonia, 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 Orbisonia, 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 — 16 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 17243

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 17243 came on Mar 28 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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 Orbisonia, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17243 is Laidig — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Laidig extremely stony loam, 8 to 30 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 17243; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orbisonia, 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 18 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raystown Lake 2, PA (16 mi away); precipitation: Raystown Lake 2, PA (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

172137a
Blairs Mills, PA · 3 mi
172607a
Shirleysburg, PA · 4 mi
172497a
Rockhill Furnace, PA · 5 mi
170667a
Mount Union, PA · 6 mi
172177a
Concord, PA · 6 mi
172197a
Doylesburg, PA · 8 mi
170757a
Newton Hamilton, PA · 8 mi
170217a
East Waterford, PA · 8 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17243

What planting zone is ZIP code 17243?

ZIP code 17243 (Orbisonia, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Orbisonia, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17243 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 Orbisonia, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17243 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17243?

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 17243 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Orbisonia, 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 17243 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Laidig at the center of ZIP 17243: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Orbisonia, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17243 came on Mar 28 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orbisonia, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17243 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 17243 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17243 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.