Frost dates for 98620Goldendale, WA
The average last spring frost in Goldendale is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 126 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 126 days
Safer after Jun 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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) | May 23 · Jun 11 · Jul 5 | Aug 27 · Sep 9 · Sep 26 | 90 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 19 · Jun 9 | Sep 8 · Sep 25 · Oct 9 | 126 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 16 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Goldendale
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 | Apr 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98620 is matched to the NOAA station Goldendale, WA, 3.5 km away, at 1,640 ft elevation (171 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldendale, WA (used) | 1,640 ft | May 19 | Sep 25 |
| Satus Pass 2 Ssw, WA | 2,585 ft | Jun 2 | Oct 1 |
| The Dalles Muni Ap, WA | 235 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| The Dalles, OR | 150 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Goldendale
- Rufus, OR 97050 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Centerville, WA 98613 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Wishram, WA 98673 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Wahkiacus, WA 98670 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Klickitat, WA 98628 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Wasco, OR 97065 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Lyle, WA 98635 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Dallesport, WA 98617 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Goldendale, WA?
- For ZIP code 98620, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Goldendale, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 9.
- When is the first frost in Goldendale, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98620?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 126 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.