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

Planting zone for 24892 — War, WV

ZIP code 24892 (War, McDowell County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 24892 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 27
First frostOct 18
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 War, WV…

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 War, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Richlands, VA — 16 miles away, elevation 1,910 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 24892

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 24892 came on Mar 6 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

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 7a in West Virginia

515 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in West Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 69

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 103

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 181

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 137

arctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbitter panicgrass5 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 War, WV.

Soil in War, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24892 is Chavies — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter70%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Chavies complex.

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 24892; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in War, WV

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,209base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall18 inper year; 14 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.35 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 3.4❄6 JanFebruary: 3.28 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 3.3❄4 FebMarch: 4.02 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 4.0❄3 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.0 AprMay: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.77 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 2.8 NovDecember: 3.78 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.8❄3 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

248137a
Bartley, WV · 3 mi
248797a
Raysal, WV · 4 mi
248267a
Cucumber, WV · 4 mi
248947a
Warriormine, WV · 5 mi
248117a
Avondale, WV · 7 mi
248177a
Bradshaw, WV · 7 mi
248957a
Wilcoe, WV · 7 mi
248307a
Elbert, WV · 8 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24892

What planting zone is ZIP code 24892?

ZIP code 24892 (War, WV) 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 War, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24892 is April 27; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station.

When is the first frost in War, WV?

The median first fall frost near 24892 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24892?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24892 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station).

How hot do summers get in War, WV?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24892 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chavies at the center of ZIP 24892: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in War, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24892 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in War, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24892 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24892 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24892 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.