Frost dates for 98286Shaw Island, WA
The average last spring frost in Shaw Island is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 7 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Oct 6 · Oct 24 · Nov 11 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 26 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 9 · Feb 22 · Mar 18 | Nov 7 · Dec 1 · Jan 7 | 289 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Shaw Island
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98286 is matched to the NOAA station Friday Harbor Ap, WA, 4.9 km away, at 109 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Harbor Ap, WA (used) | 109 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
| Olga 2 Se, WA | 80 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 29 |
| Anacortes, WA | 20 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Whidbey Island Nas, WA | 47 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Shaw Island
- Orcas, WA 98280 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Deer Harbor, WA 98243 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Friday Harbor, WA 98250 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Lopez Island, WA 98261 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Blakely Island, WA 98222 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Olga, WA 98279 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Waldron, WA 98297 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Eastsound, WA 98245 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shaw Island, WA?
- For ZIP code 98286, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Friday Harbor Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Shaw Island, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98286?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.