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

Planting zone for 98938 — Outlook, WA

ZIP code 98938 (Outlook, Yakima County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 98938 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 30

First frostOct 8

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 Outlook, 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 Outlook, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Sunnyside #2, WA — 4 miles away, elevation 804 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 98938

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 98938 came on Mar 10 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 10

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.

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 Outlook, WA.

Soil in Outlook, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98938 is Warden — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Warden silt loam, 2 to 5 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 98938; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Outlook, WA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,437base 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)

Precipitation8.6 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: Sunnyside #2, WA (4 mi away); precipitation: Granger 2.3 Nne, WA (4 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.

Grandview, WA · 13 mi

989487a

Toppenish, WA · 17 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98938

What planting zone is ZIP code 98938?

ZIP code 98938 (Outlook, 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 Outlook, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98938 is April 30; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sunnyside #2 station.

When is the first frost in Outlook, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98938 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98938?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98938 get?

About 8.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Granger 2.3 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Outlook, WA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98938 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Warden at the center of ZIP 98938: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Outlook, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98938 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Outlook, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98938 is 15 h 48 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98938 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98938 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.