Frost dates for 98621Grays River, WA
The average last spring frost in Grays River is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 27 · May 17 · Jun 7 | Sep 15 · Oct 3 · Oct 22 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 27 · May 18 | Oct 3 · Oct 22 · Nov 11 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 25 · Apr 20 | Oct 22 · Nov 12 · Dec 16 | 236 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grays River
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98621 is matched to the NOAA station Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA, 4.3 km away, at 100 ft elevation (51 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA (used) | 100 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Naselle 2 Ene, WA | 50 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Astoria Rgnl Ap, OR | 9 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Ft Clatsop Natl Mem, OR | 42 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Grays River
- Rosburg, WA 98643 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Skamokawa, WA 98647 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Naselle, WA 98638 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Lebam, WA 98554 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Cathlamet, WA 98612 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Astoria, OR 97103 · last Mar 30, first Nov 18
- Chinook, WA 98614 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Menlo, WA 98561 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grays River, WA?
- For ZIP code 98621, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Grays River, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98621?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.