Frost dates for 98280Orcas, WA
The average last spring frost in Orcas is February 26 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 276 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 276 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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) | Mar 5 · Mar 29 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 26 · Mar 23 | Nov 10 · Nov 29 · Dec 23 | 276 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 26 · Feb 26 | Nov 22 · Dec 14 · Jan 22 | 328 days | 91% |
Planting calendar for Orcas
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 | Jan 26 – Apr 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 15 – Jan 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Apr 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98280 is matched to the NOAA station Olga 2 Se, WA, 10.3 km away, at 80 ft elevation (44 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olga 2 Se, WA (used) | 80 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 29 |
| Friday Harbor Ap, WA | 109 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
| Anacortes, WA | 20 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Whidbey Island Nas, WA | 47 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Orcas
- Deer Harbor, WA 98243 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Shaw Island, WA 98286 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Olga, WA 98279 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Blakely Island, WA 98222 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Eastsound, WA 98245 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Waldron, WA 98297 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Lopez Island, WA 98261 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Friday Harbor, WA 98250 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orcas, WA?
- For ZIP code 98280, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Olga 2 Se, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- When is the first frost in Orcas, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98280?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 276 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.