Frost dates for 98612Cathlamet, WA
The average last spring frost in Cathlamet is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 24 · May 11 · May 30 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 27 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 24 · Nov 12 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 25 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 9 · Dec 4 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cathlamet
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98612 is matched to the NOAA station Clatskanie, OR, 15.5 km away, at 22 ft elevation (250 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clatskanie, OR (used) | 22 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA | 100 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Longview, WA | 12 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 5 |
| Naselle 2 Ene, WA | 50 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Cathlamet
- Skamokawa, WA 98647 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Clatskanie, OR 97016 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Grays River, WA 98621 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Rosburg, WA 98643 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Longview, WA 98632 · last Apr 8, first Nov 5
- Ryderwood, WA 98581 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Rainier, OR 97048 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Astoria, OR 97103 · last Mar 30, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cathlamet, WA?
- For ZIP code 98612, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clatskanie, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Cathlamet, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. 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 98612?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.