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

Planting zone for 27698 — Raleigh, NC

ZIP code 27698 (Raleigh, Wake County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 27698 is

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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 28
First frostNov 8
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Raleigh, NC…

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 Raleigh, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 400 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 27698

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 27698 came on Feb 22 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 136

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °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 Raleigh, NC.

Soil in Raleigh, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27698 is Beltline — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Beltline-Urban land-Cecil complex, 2 to 10 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 27698; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Raleigh, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,990base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 5.97 in precipitation 6.0 SepOctober: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raleigh State Univ, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Raleigh 1.5 Sw, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

276118a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276208a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276228a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276238a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276248a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276258a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276268a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi
276278a
Raleigh, NC · <1 mi

All 43 ZIP codes in Raleigh → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27698

What planting zone is ZIP code 27698?

ZIP code 27698 (Raleigh, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27698 is March 28; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raleigh State Univ station.

When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27698 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 229 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27698?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27698 get?

About 49.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raleigh 1.5 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Raleigh, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27698 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Beltline at the center of ZIP 27698: clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Raleigh, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27698 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Raleigh, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27698 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27698 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27698 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.