Frost dates for 98852Stehekin, WA
The average last spring frost in Stehekin is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 26 · May 10 · Jun 1 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 24 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 15 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stehekin
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 – Jun 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98852 is matched to the NOAA station Stehekin 4 Nw, WA, 6.9 km away, at 1,257 ft elevation (79 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stehekin 4 Nw, WA (used) | 1,257 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
| Holden Village, WA | 3,218 ft | May 25 | Sep 19 |
| Mazama, WA | 2,141 ft | May 9 | Sep 29 |
| Winthrop 1 Wsw, WA | 1,749 ft | May 15 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Stehekin
- Mazama, WA 98833 · last May 9, first Sep 29
- Twisp, WA 98856 · last May 15, first Sep 22
- Winthrop, WA 98862 · last May 15, first Sep 22
- Carlton, WA 98814 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Methow, WA 98834 · last May 25, first Sep 19
- Marblemount, WA 98267 · last Apr 8, first Nov 10
- Pateros, WA 98846 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Manson, WA 98831 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stehekin, WA?
- For ZIP code 98852, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stehekin 4 Nw, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Stehekin, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98852?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.