Frost dates for 98942Selah, WA
The average last spring frost in Selah is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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) | May 6 · May 24 · Jun 12 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Selah
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 | Apr 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98942 is matched to the NOAA station Selah 2 Ne, WA, 3.2 km away, at 1,120 ft elevation (235 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selah 2 Ne, WA (used) | 1,120 ft | May 5 | Oct 4 |
| Yakima #2, WA | 1,142 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 23 |
| Yakima Air Terminal, WA | 1,064 ft | May 8 | Oct 4 |
| Wapato, WA | 841 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Selah
- Yakima, WA 98907 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Cowiche, WA 98923 · last Apr 28, first Oct 7
- Tieton, WA 98947 · last Apr 28, first Oct 7
- Moxee, WA 98936 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Parker, WA 98939 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Wapato, WA 98951 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Harrah, WA 98933 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Brownstown, WA 98920 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Selah, WA?
- For ZIP code 98942, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Selah 2 Ne, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Selah, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98942?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.