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

Planting zone for 98331 — Forks, WA

ZIP code 98331 (Forks, Clallam County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 98331 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 29

First frostOct 17

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 Forks, 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 Forks, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Clearwater, WA — 13 miles away, elevation 79 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 98331

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 98331 came on Feb 6 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Feb 6

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 8b in Washington

614 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Forks, WA.

Soil in Forks, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98331 is Dimal — very flaggy silty clay loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery flaggy silty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dimal very flaggy silty clay loam, 50 to 90 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 98331; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forks, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, February

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,415base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation109.7 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: Clearwater, WA (13 mi away); precipitation: Clearwater, WA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

983058b

Beaver, WA · 19 mi

985268b

Amanda Park, WA · 21 mi

983509a

La Push, WA · 23 mi

983638b

Port Angeles, WA · 24 mi

Humptulips, WA · 32 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98331

What planting zone is ZIP code 98331?

ZIP code 98331 (Forks, 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 Forks, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98331 is April 29; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clearwater station.

When is the first frost in Forks, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98331 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98331?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98331 get?

About 109.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clearwater station).

How hot do summers get in Forks, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in August, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98331 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dimal at the center of ZIP 98331: very flaggy silty clay loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Forks, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98331 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forks, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98331 is 16 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).