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

Planting zone for 25040 — Charlton Heights, WV

ZIP code 25040 (Charlton Heights, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 25040 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 22
First frostOct 22
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 Charlton Heights, 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 Charlton Heights, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV — 7 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 25040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 25040 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 Charlton Heights, WV.

Soil in Charlton Heights, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 25040 is Kaymine — extremely channery loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely channery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, 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 25040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlton Heights, WV

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,398base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48 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 47 °F, low 25 °F 47°25° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.87 in precipitation 5.9 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV (7 mi away); precipitation: Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

250027a
Alloy, WV · <1 mi
250317a
Boomer, WV · 2 mi
250907a
Glen Ferris, WV · 2 mi
250577a
Deep Water, WV · 2 mi
251397a
Mount Carbon, WV · 3 mi
250367a
Cannelton, WV · 3 mi
251157a
Kanawha Falls, WV · 4 mi
251867a
Smithers, WV · 4 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 25040

What planting zone is ZIP code 25040?

ZIP code 25040 (Charlton Heights, 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 Charlton Heights, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 25040 is April 22; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anstead Hawks Nest Sp station.

When is the first frost in Charlton Heights, WV?

The median first fall frost near 25040 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 25040?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 25040 get?

About 48 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anstead Hawks Nest Sp station).

How hot do summers get in Charlton Heights, WV?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 25040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kaymine at the center of ZIP 25040: extremely channery loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Charlton Heights, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 25040 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 Charlton Heights, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 25040 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 25040 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 25040 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.