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Will it freeze in Princeton in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Sat, Nov 7: 31°F (Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 PM EST to Sun, Nov 8, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 45°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
5 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 45°F Above 36°F · Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
- Fri, Nov 6 37°F Above 36°F · Mostly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 31°F Freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 31°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 35°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Tue, Nov 10 34°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 33°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.
Frost and freeze probabilities
Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.
These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.
Average first hard freeze in Princeton
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 19, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Athens. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.
| Temperature | Last spring date 90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze | First fall date 10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F frost possible | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 144 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 161 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 11 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 182 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Athens
Average low temperature by month
Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk
Where these frost dates come from
The frost dates for Princeton, WV come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Athens (station USC00460355, elevation 2,495 ft), 5.3 mi from Princeton. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.
Frost dates near Princeton
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield, WV | 9.9 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Beckley, WV | 28 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Pulaski, VA | 29 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Wytheville, VA | 29 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Radford, VA | 34 mi | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| Blacksburg, VA | 38 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Christiansburg, VA | 41 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Oak Hill, WV | 42 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Marion, VA | 43 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Richlands, VA | 44 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Princeton?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Princeton is around April 30. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 19, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 14.
When is the first frost in Princeton?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 10. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by September 27 and a 90% chance by October 22.
Can it frost in Princeton after the last frost date?
Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after May 9.
What growing zone is Princeton?
Princeton is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 24740. See growing zones in West Virginia.
More: all West Virginia frost dates · West Virginia growing zones · frost vs. freeze