Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 98045 — North Bend, WA

ZIP code 98045 (North Bend, King County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 98045 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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 frostApr 23

First frostNov 1

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 North Bend, 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 North Bend, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Cedar Lake, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,562 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 98045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 98045 came on Mar 29 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 29

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 Washington

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

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 North Bend, WA.

Soil in North Bend, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98045 is Sultan — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter7.5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sultan silt loam, 0 to 2 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 98045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Bend, WA

Summer high71 °Faverage high, August

Winter low31 °Faverage low, December

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights86nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,171base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation90.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cedar Lake, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: North Bend 5.4 Ese, WA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

8 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

980658b

Snoqualmie, WA · 9 mi

980248b

Fall City, WA · 12 mi

980258b

Hobart, WA · 13 mi

980518b

Ravensdale, WA · 13 mi

980508b

Preston, WA · 13 mi

980388b

Maple Valley, WA · 13 mi

980278b

Issaquah, WA · 15 mi

980687a

Snoqualmie Pass, WA · 15 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98045

What planting zone is ZIP code 98045?

ZIP code 98045 (North Bend, WA) 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 North Bend, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98045 is April 23; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Lake station.

When is the first frost in North Bend, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98045 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98045 get?

About 90.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Bend 5.4 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in North Bend, WA?

The average high peaks at 71 °F in August, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sultan at the center of ZIP 98045: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in North Bend, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98045 came on Mar 29 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Bend, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98045 is 15 h 58 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98045 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98045 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.