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

Planting zone for 24954 — Marlinton, WV

ZIP code 24954 (Marlinton, Pocahontas County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 24954 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 frostMay 11
First frostOct 6
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. 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 Marlinton, 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 Marlinton, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Marlinton, WV — 2 miles away, elevation 2,149 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 24954

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 24954 came on Mar 9 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 6b in West Virginia

506 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in West Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 68

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 102

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 178

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 134

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 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °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 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °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 Marlinton, WV.

Soil in Marlinton, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24954 is Berks — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Dekalb complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very 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 24954; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Marlinton, WV

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,103base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall43 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 16 °F 36°16° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 35 °F 62°35° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 25 °F 50°25° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.57 in precipitation, 12.2 in snowfall 3.6❄12 JanFebruary: 3.17 in precipitation, 11.3 in snowfall 3.2❄11 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 4.1❄7 MarApril: 3.95 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.0❄1 AprMay: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.89 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.9 OctNovember: 3.05 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 3.0❄1 NovDecember: 3.76 in precipitation, 9.8 in snowfall 3.8❄10 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

249246b
Buckeye, WV · 6 mi
249276a
Cass, WV · 8 mi
262096a
Snowshoe, WV · 10 mi
249346a
Dunmore, WV · 12 mi
244846b
Warm Springs, VA · 14 mi
249466b
Hillsboro, WV · 14 mi
262916a
Slatyfork, WV · 15 mi
244126b
Bacova, VA · 18 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24954

What planting zone is ZIP code 24954?

ZIP code 24954 (Marlinton, WV) 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 Marlinton, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24954 is May 11; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marlinton station.

When is the first frost in Marlinton, WV?

The median first fall frost near 24954 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24954?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24954 get?

About 44.9 inches of precipitation a year and 43 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marlinton station).

How hot do summers get in Marlinton, WV?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24954 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 24954: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Marlinton, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24954 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Marlinton, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24954 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24954 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24954 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.