Frost dates for 98542Ethel, WA
The average last spring frost in Ethel is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 6 · May 2 · May 30 | Sep 8 · Oct 2 · Oct 31 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 5 · May 4 | Sep 24 · Oct 25 · Nov 20 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 10 · Apr 8 | Oct 6 · Nov 9 · Dec 14 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ethel
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98542 is matched to the NOAA station Toledo Faa Ap, WA, 8 km away, at 379 ft elevation (100 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo Faa Ap, WA (used) | 379 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 25 |
| Mayfield Pwr Plt, WA | 280 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
| Centralia, WA | 185 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
| Longview, WA | 12 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Ethel
- Onalaska, WA 98570 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Salkum, WA 98582 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Toledo, WA 98591 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Napavine, WA 98565 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Winlock, WA 98596 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Cinebar, WA 98533 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Mossyrock, WA 98564 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Silver Creek, WA 98585 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ethel, WA?
- For ZIP code 98542, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Toledo Faa Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Ethel, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98542?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.