Frost dates for 98802East Wenatchee, WA
The average last spring frost in East Wenatchee is April 4 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 7 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Oct 26 · Nov 10 · Nov 25 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Wenatchee
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98802 is matched to the NOAA station Wenatchee, WA, 3 km away, at 626 ft elevation (329 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee, WA (used) | 626 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Wenatchee Pangborn Ap, WA | 1,229 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 24 |
| Waterville, WA | 2,664 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
| Entiat Fish Hatchery, WA | 1,027 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near East Wenatchee
- Wenatchee, WA 98807 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Malaga, WA 98828 · last Apr 8, first Oct 24
- Rock Island, WA 98850 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Monitor, WA 98836 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Cashmere, WA 98815 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Dryden, WA 98821 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Palisades, WA 98845 · last Apr 8, first Oct 24
- Peshastin, WA 98847 · last May 10, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Wenatchee, WA?
- For ZIP code 98802, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wenatchee, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in East Wenatchee, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98802?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.