Frost dates for 98251Gold Bar, WA
The average last spring frost in Gold Bar is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 20 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 25 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 15 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 25 · Nov 15 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 18 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 12 · Dec 12 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gold Bar
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 | Mar 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98251 is matched to the NOAA station Startup 1 E, WA, 7.1 km away, at 170 ft elevation (142 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup 1 E, WA (used) | 170 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Baring, WA | 770 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Tolt S Fk Rsvr, WA | 2,000 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 10 |
| Monroe, WA | 120 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Gold Bar
- Index, WA 98256 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Sultan, WA 98294 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Startup, WA 98293 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Baring, WA 98224 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Monroe, WA 98272 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Skykomish, WA 98288 · last May 14, first Oct 17
- Duvall, WA 98019 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Carnation, WA 98014 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gold Bar, WA?
- For ZIP code 98251, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Startup 1 E, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Gold Bar, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98251?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.