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

Planting zone for 98631 — Long Beach, WA

ZIP code 98631 (Long Beach, Pacific County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 98631 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 6
First frostOct 26
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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season200 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Long Beach Exp Stn, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 26 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 98631

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
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 6) 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 98631 came on Feb 17 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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.

Trees 32

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 115

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 293

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 159

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 Long Beach, WA.

Soil in Long Beach, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98631 is Yaquina — loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Yaquina loamy fine sand.

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 98631; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Long Beach, WA

Summer high67 °Faverage high, August
Winter low35 °Faverage low, February
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights41nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,140base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 35 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 36 °F 49°36° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 37 °F 52°37° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 40 °F 55°40° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 45 °F 59°45° MayJune: average high 62 °F, low 49 °F 62°49° JunJuly: average high 65 °F, low 52 °F 65°52° JulAugust: average high 67 °F, low 52 °F 67°52° AugSeptember: average high 66 °F, low 48 °F 66°48° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 42 °F 60°42° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 38 °F 53°38° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 36 °F 48°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 12.04 in precipitation 12.0 JanFebruary: 7.76 in precipitation 7.8 FebMarch: 8.71 in precipitation 8.7 MarApril: 6.79 in precipitation 6.8 AprMay: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 JulAugust: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 2.66 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 8.20 in precipitation 8.2 OctNovember: 11.43 in precipitation 11.4 NovDecember: 12.15 in precipitation 12.2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

986249a
Ilwaco, WA · 4 mi
986449a
Seaview, WA · 5 mi
986379a
Nahcotta, WA · 8 mi
986148b
Chinook, WA · 9 mi
986388b
Naselle, WA · 12 mi
986419a
Oysterville, WA · 13 mi
971219a
Hammond, OR · 13 mi
985869a
South Bend, WA · 14 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98631

What planting zone is ZIP code 98631?

ZIP code 98631 (Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98631 is April 6; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Beach Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Long Beach, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98631 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 200 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98631?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98631 get?

About 78.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Beach Exp Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Long Beach, WA?

The average high peaks at 67 °F in August, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98631 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Yaquina at the center of ZIP 98631: loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Long Beach, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98631 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Long Beach, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98631 is 15 h 48 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98631 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98631 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.