Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Port Angeles, WA

Port Angeles, WA is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 19.

Port Angeles on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostMar 12
First frostNov 19
Growing season252 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Port Angeles, WA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Port Angeles, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season252 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 5 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Port Angeles, WA, elevation 89 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Port Angeles

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 19) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 98362 came on Feb 22 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Washington

614 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 32

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 114

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 293

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 157

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Port Angeles, WA.

Soil in Port Angeles, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98362 is Elwha — gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Elwha gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 98362; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Port Angeles, WA

Summer high67 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights26nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,363base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 37 °F 45°37° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 37 °F 46°37° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 39 °F 49°39° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 42 °F 54°42° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 48 °F 60°48° MayJune: average high 63 °F, low 51 °F 63°51° JunJuly: average high 67 °F, low 55 °F 67°55° JulAugust: average high 67 °F, low 55 °F 67°55° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 51 °F 65°51° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 45 °F 56°45° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 40 °F 49°40° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 37 °F 44°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 1.85 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 JunJuly: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 AugSeptember: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 NovDecember: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Port Angeles, WA (7 mi away); precipitation: Port Angeles 10.5 Se, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Port Angeles

983628b
15 to 20 °F
983638b
15 to 20 °F

Washington planting zones →

Questions about Port Angeles

What planting zone is Port Angeles, WA?

Port Angeles, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Port Angeles, WA?

The median last spring frost is March 12 and the median first fall frost is November 19 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Angeles station).

When can I plant a garden in Port Angeles, WA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 29 – Feb 19; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 19, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Port Angeles, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 16 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Port Angeles, WA get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).