Frost dates for 98624Ilwaco, WA
The average last spring frost in Ilwaco is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 18 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 27 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 6 · Apr 28 | Oct 4 · Oct 26 · Nov 16 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 6 · Mar 30 | Oct 22 · Nov 13 · Dec 15 | 253 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ilwaco
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98624 is matched to the NOAA station Long Beach Exp Stn, WA, 6 km away, at 25 ft elevation (172 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Exp Stn, WA (used) | 25 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 26 |
| Astoria Rgnl Ap, OR | 9 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Naselle 2 Ene, WA | 50 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Ft Clatsop Natl Mem, OR | 42 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Ilwaco
- Seaview, WA 98644 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Long Beach, WA 98631 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Chinook, WA 98614 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Hammond, OR 97121 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Naselle, WA 98638 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Warrenton, OR 97146 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Nahcotta, WA 98637 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Ocean Park, WA 98640 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ilwaco, WA?
- For ZIP code 98624, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Long Beach Exp Stn, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Ilwaco, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98624?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.