Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 26705 — Aurora, WV

ZIP code 26705 (Aurora, Preston County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 26705 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 frostApr 28

First frostOct 23

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 Aurora, 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 Aurora, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Rowlesburg 1, WV — 6 miles away, elevation 1,424 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 26705

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 26705 came on Mar 15 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 15

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.

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 Aurora, WV.

Soil in Aurora, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26705 is Dekalb — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dekalb loam, 3 to 8 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 26705; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aurora, WV

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,004base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation57.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall57 inper year; 43 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rowlesburg 1, WV (6 mi away); precipitation: Rowlesburg 1, WV (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

267166a

Eglon, WV · 5 mi

264256b

Rowlesburg, WV · 7 mi

267646a

Terra Alta, WV · 9 mi

215506a

Oakland, MD · 11 mi

264446b

Tunnelton, WV · 11 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26705

What planting zone is ZIP code 26705?

ZIP code 26705 (Aurora, 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 Aurora, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26705 is April 28; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rowlesburg 1 station.

When is the first frost in Aurora, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26705 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26705?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26705 get?

About 57.3 inches of precipitation a year and 57 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rowlesburg 1 station).

How hot do summers get in Aurora, WV?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26705 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dekalb at the center of ZIP 26705: loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Aurora, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26705 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Aurora, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26705 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.