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Frost Dates for Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA

Last spring frost
Apr 13
First fall frost
Nov 10
Growing season
210 days
Hardiness zone
8b

In an average year around Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Apr 13 and the first fall frost is about Nov 10, giving roughly a 210-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 23 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) May 21 May 3 Apr 17
Freeze (32°F) May 4 Apr 13 Mar 23
Hard (28°F) Apr 6 Mar 14 Feb 16
Severe (24°F) Mar 11 Feb 6 Dec 20
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F May 21 May 15 May 11 May 7 May 3 Apr 30 Apr 27 Apr 23 Apr 17
32°F May 4 Apr 29 Apr 23 Apr 18 Apr 13 Apr 7 Apr 3 Mar 31 Mar 23
28°F Apr 6 Mar 29 Mar 23 Mar 18 Mar 14 Mar 9 Mar 4 Feb 26 Feb 16
24°F Mar 11 Mar 1 Feb 23 Feb 16 Feb 6 Jan 27 Jan 13 Jan 3 Dec 20
20°F Feb 22 Feb 13 Jan 31 Jan 18 Jan 7 Dec 31 Dec 22 Dec 11 Dec 2
16°F Feb 16 Jan 29 Jan 10 Jan 1 Dec 24 Dec 17 Dec 9 Dec 5 Nov 27

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 8 Oct 24 Nov 9
Freeze (32°F) Oct 24 Nov 10 Nov 28
Hard (28°F) Nov 7 Nov 28 Dec 23
Severe (24°F) Nov 22 Dec 16 Feb 2
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 24 Oct 26 Oct 30 Nov 3 Nov 9
32°F Oct 24 Oct 30 Nov 2 Nov 7 Nov 10 Nov 14 Nov 17 Nov 22 Nov 28
28°F Nov 7 Nov 13 Nov 18 Nov 23 Nov 28 Dec 2 Dec 7 Dec 14 Dec 23
24°F Nov 22 Nov 28 Dec 3 Dec 9 Dec 16 Dec 24 Jan 1 Jan 13 Feb 2
20°F Nov 25 Dec 2 Dec 8 Dec 16 Dec 24 Dec 31 Jan 7 Jan 23 Feb 13
16°F Nov 24 Dec 1 Dec 6 Dec 11 Dec 18 Dec 26 Jan 1 Jan 21 Feb 5

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Tolt S Fk Rsvr, Wa, about 7.2 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 2,000 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

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How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA is about Apr 13. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 23.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA typically arrives about Nov 10. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Apr 13 on average, or Mar 23 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 210 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 98014 Planting calendar → Washington frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026