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

Planting zone for 98262 — Lummi Island, WA

ZIP code 98262 (Lummi Island, Whatcom County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 98262 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 1
First frostNov 2
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lummi Island, 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 Lummi Island, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA — 8 miles away, elevation 16 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 98262

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 98262 came on Feb 14 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

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).

Soil in Lummi Island, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98262 is Kickerville — ashy silt loam, well drained.

TextureAshy silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kickerville silt loam, 3 to 8 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 98262; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lummi Island, WA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,880base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 35 °F 48°35° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 38 °F 54°38° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 46 °F 66°46° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 50 °F 69°50° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 44 °F 60°44° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 39 °F 52°39° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 35 °F 47°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 JulAugust: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 1.93 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 NovDecember: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA (8 mi away); precipitation: Ferndale 6.5 Wsw, WA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

982798b
Olga, WA · 8 mi
982258b
Bellingham, WA · 9 mi
982278b
Bellingham, WA · 10 mi
982288b
Bellingham, WA · 10 mi
982229a
Blakely Island, WA · 11 mi
982459a
Eastsound, WA · 11 mi
982809a
Orcas, WA · 11 mi
982488b
Ferndale, WA · 12 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98262

What planting zone is ZIP code 98262?

ZIP code 98262 (Lummi Island, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Lummi Island, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98262 is April 1; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bellingham 3 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Lummi Island, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98262 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98262?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98262 get?

About 36.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ferndale 6.5 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Lummi Island, WA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98262 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kickerville at the center of ZIP 98262: ashy silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lummi Island, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98262 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lummi Island, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98262 is 16 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).