Frost dates for 99218Spokane, WA
The average last spring frost in Spokane is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 27 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 31 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 26 | Oct 11 · Oct 27 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spokane
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99218 is matched to the NOAA station Spokane Felts Fld, WA, 10.7 km away, at 1,953 ft elevation (67 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane Felts Fld, WA (used) | 1,953 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| Spokane Intl Ap, WA | 2,353 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Spokane Wfo, WA | 2,392 ft | May 10 | Sep 26 |
| Deer Park Ap, WA | 2,191 ft | May 22 | Sep 14 |
Frost dates near Spokane
- Spokane, WA 99208 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Mead, WA 99021 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Colbert, WA 99005 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Airway Heights, WA 99001 · last May 10, first Sep 26
- Chattaroy, WA 99003 · last May 22, first Sep 14
- Veradale, WA 99037 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Greenacres, WA 99016 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spokane, WA?
- For ZIP code 99218, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Spokane Felts Fld, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Spokane, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99218?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.