Planting zone for 98330 — Elbe, WA
ZIP code 98330 (Elbe, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 3.
Where ZIP 98330 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Elbe, 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 Elbe, WA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 20.
From the NOAA station Longmire Rainier Nps, WA — 16 miles away, elevation 2,763 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 98330
Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 98330 came on Mar 12 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).
Mar 162026
Mar 12
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 Elbe, WA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98330 is Greenwater — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.
Map unit: Greenwater loamy sand, 0 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 98330; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Elbe, WA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Longmire Rainier Nps, WA (16 mi away); precipitation: Mineral 0.2 S, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 98330
What planting zone is ZIP code 98330?
ZIP code 98330 (Elbe, 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 Elbe, WA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98330 is May 22; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Longmire Rainier Nps station.
When is the first frost in Elbe, WA?
The median first fall frost near 98330 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 98330?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 98330 get?
About 81.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral 0.2 S station).
How hot do summers get in Elbe, WA?
The average high peaks at 76 °F in August, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 98330 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Greenwater at the center of ZIP 98330: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Elbe, WA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 98330 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Elbe, WA?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 98330 is 15 h 52 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).