Frost dates for 98343Joyce, WA
The average last spring frost in Joyce is April 9 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 18 · May 3 · May 19 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 9 · Apr 29 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 23 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 4 · Mar 30 | Nov 2 · Nov 24 · Dec 23 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Joyce
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98343 is matched to the NOAA station Elwha Rs, WA, 17.1 km away, at 360 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elwha Rs, WA (used) | 360 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 3 |
| Port Angeles Intl Ap, WA | 288 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Port Angeles, WA | 90 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
| Forks 1 E, WA | 350 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Joyce
- Port Angeles, WA 98363 · last Apr 9, first Nov 3
- Clallam Bay, WA 98326 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Carlsborg, WA 98324 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Beaver, WA 98305 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Sequim, WA 98382 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Forks, WA 98331 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Sekiu, WA 98381 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Friday Harbor, WA 98250 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Joyce, WA?
- For ZIP code 98343, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elwha Rs, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Joyce, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98343?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.