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

Planting zone for 98817 — Chelan Falls, WA

ZIP code 98817 (Chelan Falls, Chelan County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 98817 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 17
First frostOct 22
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chelan Falls, 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 Chelan Falls, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Chelan, WA — 3 miles away, elevation 1,194 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 98817

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 98817 came on Mar 23 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

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 7b in Washington

592 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 105

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 284

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 Chelan Falls, WA.

Soil in Chelan Falls, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98817 is Pogue — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Pogue fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 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 98817; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chelan Falls, WA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,710base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 01 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)
Precipitation12 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall21 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 22 °F 34°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 46 °F 72°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 59 °F 87°59° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 23 °F 35°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.52 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 1.5❄8 JanFebruary: 1.22 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 1.2❄2 FebMarch: 1.09 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.1❄1 MarApril: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 MayJune: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 1.51 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 1.5❄1 NovDecember: 1.83 in precipitation, 8.7 in snowfall 1.8❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chelan, WA (3 mi away); precipitation: Chelan, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

988437a
Orondo, WA · 6 mi
988586b
Waterville, WA · 9 mi
988317a
Manson, WA · 12 mi
988467a
Pateros, WA · 15 mi
988117a
Ardenvoir, WA · 18 mi
988306b
Mansfield, WA · 22 mi
988027a
East Wenatchee, WA · 22 mi
988137a
Bridgeport, WA · 23 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98817

What planting zone is ZIP code 98817?

ZIP code 98817 (Chelan Falls, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Chelan Falls, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98817 is April 17; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chelan station.

When is the first frost in Chelan Falls, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98817 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98817?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98817 get?

About 12 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chelan station).

How hot do summers get in Chelan Falls, WA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98817 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pogue at the center of ZIP 98817: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Chelan Falls, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98817 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chelan Falls, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98817 is 16 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98817 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98817 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.