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

Planting zone for 22103 — West Mclean, VA

ZIP code 22103 (West Mclean, Fairfax County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 22103 is

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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 29
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West Mclean, VA…

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 West Mclean, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Vienna, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 417 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 22103

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 22103 came on Mar 11 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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 West Mclean, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22103 is Wheaton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.88%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wheaton-Fairfax complex, 2 to 7 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 22103; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Mclean, VA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,472base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 67 °F 84°67° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 65 °F 82°65° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vienna, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Vienna 0.8 S, VA (4 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.

201227a
Centreville, VA · <1 mi
201537b
Chantilly, VA · <1 mi
201957b
Reston, VA · <1 mi
201967b
Reston, VA · <1 mi
220097b
Burke, VA · <1 mi
220347b
Fairfax, VA · <1 mi
220377b
Fairfax, VA · <1 mi
220967b
Reston, VA · <1 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22103

What planting zone is ZIP code 22103?

ZIP code 22103 (West Mclean, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in West Mclean, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22103 is April 14; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vienna station.

When is the first frost in West Mclean, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22103 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22103?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22103 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vienna 0.8 S station).

How hot do summers get in West Mclean, VA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22103 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wheaton at the center of ZIP 22103: loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in West Mclean, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22103 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Mclean, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22103 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22103 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22103 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.