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

Planting zone for 98241 — Darrington, WA

ZIP code 98241 (Darrington, Snohomish County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 19.

Where ZIP 98241 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 frostMay 25

First frostSep 19

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Darrington, 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 Darrington, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 19median — 10% chance by Aug 29

Growing season114 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Holden Village, WA — 17 miles away, elevation 3,219 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 98241

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 25 – Aug 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 5 – Oct 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 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 98241 came on Apr 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
Apr 24

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 Darrington, WA.

Soil in Darrington, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98241 is Typic Vitricryands — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Map unit: Typic Vitricryands-Rock outcrop association, 15 to 100 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 98241; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Darrington, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights206nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,069base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation79.2 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: Holden Village, WA (17 mi away); precipitation: Lyman Lake, WA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

982677a

Marblemount, WA · 14 mi

988526b

Stehekin, WA · 24 mi

982528a

Granite Falls, WA · 28 mi

Leavenworth, WA · 32 mi

982378a

Concrete, WA · 35 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98241

What planting zone is ZIP code 98241?

ZIP code 98241 (Darrington, 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 Darrington, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98241 is May 25; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holden Village station.

When is the first frost in Darrington, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98241 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98241?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98241 get?

About 79.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lyman Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Darrington, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98241 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Typic Vitricryands at the center of ZIP 98241: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Darrington, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98241 came on Apr 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Darrington, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98241 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).