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

Planting zone for 98617 — Dallesport, WA

ZIP code 98617 (Dallesport, Klickitat County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 98617 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostOct 26
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dallesport, 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 Dallesport, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station The Dalles Municipal Airport, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 236 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 98617

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 98617 came on Mar 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

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 8a in Washington

611 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 31

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 113

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 292

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 157

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Dallesport, WA.

Soil in Dallesport, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98617 is Haploxerolls — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Haploxerolls complex, 0 to 30 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 98617; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dallesport, WA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,192base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation13.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 31 °F 42°31° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 32 °F 48°32° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 61 °F 88°61° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 52 °F 80°52° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 31 °F 41°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 FebMarch: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

970587b
The Dalles, OR · 6 mi
986357b
Lyle, WA · 8 mi
986737b
Wishram, WA · 9 mi
986137b
Centerville, WA · 11 mi
970407b
Mosier, OR · 12 mi
986287b
Klickitat, WA · 15 mi
986707b
Wahkiacus, WA · 15 mi
970508a
Rufus, OR · 17 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98617

What planting zone is ZIP code 98617?

ZIP code 98617 (Dallesport, 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 Dallesport, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98617 is April 11; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, The Dalles Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Dallesport, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98617 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98617?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98617 get?

About 13.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, The Dalles Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Dallesport, WA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98617 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Haploxerolls at the center of ZIP 98617: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dallesport, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98617 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dallesport, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98617 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98617 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98617 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.