When is the last frost in Newport News, VA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Newport News is around April 1, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Newport News Intl Ap, VA station (6.5 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Newport News?

The average first fall frost in Newport News, VA is around November 9, giving roughly a 221-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Newport News, VA?

Newport News is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Newport News?

In Newport News, VA the warmest month is July (avg high 87.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 32.1°F). It averages about 47.8″ of precipitation a year and 2.7″ of snow.

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Newport News, VA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 23601 · elevation 3′ · NOAA & USDA data

Newport News is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 221 days between the average last spring frost (April 1) and first fall frost (November 9). The warmest month is July (avg high 87.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 32.1°F). It averages 47.8″ of precipitation a year and 2.7″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

April 1

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

221 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 87.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Newport News

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Langley Afb, VA (7.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	49	32.1	40.6	3.5	2.4
February	51.5	33.8	42.7	2.9	0.1
March	58.1	39.8	48.9	4.4	0.1
April	67.6	48.6	58.1	3.3	0
May	75.5	58	66.7	3.8	0
June	82.9	67.1	75	4	0
July	87.3	71.2	79.3	5.3	0
August	85.1	70.5	77.8	4.9	0
September	79.4	65	72.2	4.8	0
October	69.7	52.9	61.3	3.9	0
November	60.2	41.9	51.1	3.3	0
December	52.2	35.5	43.9	3.7	0.1

What to plant when in Newport News

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 18 · Transplant out: April 8
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 4 · Transplant out: April 15
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 8
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): September 14
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 18 · Sow (fall): September 14
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 14
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 31
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 31
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 4
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 18
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 28

Dates are computed from Newport News's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Virginia

Hampton, VA Suffolk, VA Portsmouth, VA Norfolk, VA Chesapeake, VA Virginia Beach, VA Richmond, VA Alexandria, VA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Newport News Intl Ap, VA, 6.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Langley Afb, VA, 7.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.