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

Planting zone for 98520 — Aberdeen, WA

ZIP code 98520 (Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 98520 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 frostMar 29

First frostNov 15

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 18 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Aberdeen, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 10 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 98520

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 98520 came on Feb 14 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 14

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 Aberdeen, WA.

Soil in Aberdeen, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98520 is Zenker — medial silt loam, well drained.

TextureMedial silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter12.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zenker silt loam, 30 to 65 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 98520; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aberdeen, WA

Summer high69 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights35nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,591base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 30 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation84.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Aberdeen, WA (2 mi away); precipitation: Aberdeen, WA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Ocean Shores, WA · 15 mi

985359a

Copalis Beach, WA · 16 mi

985378b

Cosmopolis, WA · 17 mi

985479a

Grayland, WA · 17 mi

985638b

Montesano, WA · 19 mi

985369a

Copalis Crossing, WA · 19 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98520

What planting zone is ZIP code 98520?

ZIP code 98520 (Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98520 is March 29; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aberdeen station.

When is the first frost in Aberdeen, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98520 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98520?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98520 get?

About 84.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aberdeen station).

How hot do summers get in Aberdeen, WA?

The average high peaks at 69 °F in August, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98520 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zenker at the center of ZIP 98520: medial silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Aberdeen, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98520 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 Aberdeen, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98520 is 15 h 54 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98520 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98520 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.