Frost dates for 98648Stevenson, WA
The average last spring frost in Stevenson is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 257 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 257 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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) | Mar 23 · Apr 15 · May 5 | Oct 24 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 14 · Apr 4 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 15 | 257 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 4 · Feb 14 · Mar 10 | Nov 21 · Dec 14 · Jan 13 | 306 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Stevenson
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 | Feb 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98648 is matched to the NOAA station Bonneville Dam, OR, 6.8 km away, at 62 ft elevation (253 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville Dam, OR (used) | 62 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 27 |
| Cascade Locks, OR | 142 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 20 |
| Carson Fish Hatchery, WA | 1,134 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Skamania Fish Hatchery, WA | 435 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Stevenson
- Cascade Locks, OR 97014 · last Mar 14, first Nov 27
- North Bonneville, WA 98639 · last Mar 14, first Nov 27
- Carson, WA 98610 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Bridal Veil, OR 97010 · last Mar 14, first Nov 27
- Bingen, WA 98605 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Underwood, WA 98651 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Hood River, OR 97031 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Odell, OR 97044 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stevenson, WA?
- For ZIP code 98648, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bonneville Dam, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Stevenson, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98648?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 257 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.