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

Planting zone for 98527 — Bay Center, WA

ZIP code 98527 (Bay Center, Pacific County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 98527 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostApr 26

First frostOct 17

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bay Center, 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 Bay Center, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Raymond 2 S, WA — 9 miles away, elevation 30 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 98527

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

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 26) 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 98527 came on Feb 3 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 3

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 9a in Washington

617 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Bay Center, WA.

Soil in Bay Center, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98527 is Ocosta — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter7.5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ocosta silty clay loam.

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 98527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bay Center, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, August

Winter low32 °Faverage low, February

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,397base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation78.5 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: Raymond 2 S, WA (9 mi away); precipitation: Ocean Park 2.2 N, WA (8 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.

985869a

South Bend, WA · 5 mi

986419a

Oysterville, WA · 6 mi

986409a

Ocean Park, WA · 7 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98527

What planting zone is ZIP code 98527?

ZIP code 98527 (Bay Center, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Bay Center, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98527 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raymond 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Bay Center, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98527 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98527?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98527 get?

About 78.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocean Park 2.2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Bay Center, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in August, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ocosta at the center of ZIP 98527: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bay Center, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98527 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bay Center, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98527 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98527 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98527 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.