Frost dates for 98220Acme, WA
The average last spring frost in Acme is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 22 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 8 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 27 · Apr 17 | Oct 15 · Nov 6 · Nov 28 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Mar 1 · Mar 22 | Nov 1 · Nov 24 · Dec 19 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Acme
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98220 is matched to the NOAA station Sedro-Woolley, WA, 20.2 km away, at 60 ft elevation (271 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedro-Woolley, WA (used) | 60 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 6 |
| Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA | 15 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Bellingham Intl Ap, WA | 149 ft | Mar 31 | Oct 30 |
| Mt Vernon 3 Wnw, WA | 14 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Acme
- Deming, WA 98244 · last Apr 24, first Oct 29
- Bellingham, WA 98229 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
- Lyman, WA 98263 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
- Bow, WA 98232 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Hamilton, WA 98255 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
- Clearlake, WA 98235 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
- Burlington, WA 98233 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Acme, WA?
- For ZIP code 98220, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sedro-Woolley, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Acme, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98220?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.