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

Planting zone for 26288 — Webster Springs, WV

ZIP code 26288 (Webster Springs, Webster County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 26288 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 12
2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Webster Springs, 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 Webster Springs, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Webster Springs 8 N, WV — 4 miles away, elevation 1,850 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 26288

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 26288 came on Mar 9 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

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 6a in West Virginia

502 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in West Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 177

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 133

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 9

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 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Webster Springs, WV.

Soil in Webster Springs, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26288 is Highsplint — 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 matter69.7%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Highsplint channery silt loam, moist, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely 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 26288; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Webster Springs, WV

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,869base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation60.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall91 inper year; 48 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 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 46 °F 73°46° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 4.31 in precipitation, 28.9 in snowfall 4.3❄29 JanFebruary: 3.91 in precipitation, 15.5 in snowfall 3.9❄16 FebMarch: 5.29 in precipitation, 17.1 in snowfall 5.3❄17 MarApril: 5.14 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 5.1❄4 AprMay: 5.87 in precipitation 5.9 MayJune: 6.22 in precipitation 6.2 JunJuly: 6.61 in precipitation 6.6 JulAugust: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 AugSeptember: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.73 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.7❄1 OctNovember: 4.34 in precipitation, 6.5 in snowfall 4.3❄7 NovDecember: 4.69 in precipitation, 18.5 in snowfall 4.7❄19 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Webster Springs 8 N, WV (4 mi away); precipitation: Webster Springs 8 N, WV (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

262986a
Bergoo, WV · 5 mi
262176b
Diana, WV · 9 mi
262666b
Upperglade, WV · 10 mi
262226b
Hacker Valley, WV · 10 mi
262306a
Pickens, WV · 11 mi
262826a
Monterville, WV · 11 mi
262036b
Erbacon, WV · 13 mi
262066b
Cowen, WV · 14 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26288

What planting zone is ZIP code 26288?

ZIP code 26288 (Webster Springs, WV) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Webster Springs, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26288 is May 4; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Webster Springs 8 N station.

When is the first frost in Webster Springs, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26288 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26288?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26288 get?

About 60.3 inches of precipitation a year and 91 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Webster Springs 8 N station).

How hot do summers get in Webster Springs, WV?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26288 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Highsplint at the center of ZIP 26288: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Webster Springs, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26288 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Webster Springs, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26288 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.