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

Planting zone for 99103 — Almira, WA

ZIP code 99103 (Almira, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 99103 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 2

First frostOct 12

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Almira, 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 Almira, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Hartline, WA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,906 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 99103

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 99103 came on Mar 24 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Mar 24

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 6b in Washington

581 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 6b. 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 Almira, WA.

Soil in Almira, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99103 is Renslow — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Renslow silt loam, 0 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 99103; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Almira, WA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,437base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 00 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)

Precipitation10.9 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: Hartline, WA (9 mi away); precipitation: Hartline, WA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Electric City, WA · 12 mi

991176b

Creston, WA · 18 mi

991247b

Elmer City, WA · 18 mi

991167a

Coulee Dam, WA · 19 mi

988606b

Wilson Creek, WA · 21 mi

991337a

Grand Coulee, WA · 21 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99103

What planting zone is ZIP code 99103?

ZIP code 99103 (Almira, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Almira, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99103 is May 2; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartline station.

When is the first frost in Almira, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99103 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99103?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99103 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartline station).

How hot do summers get in Almira, WA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99103 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Renslow at the center of ZIP 99103: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Almira, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99103 came on Mar 24 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Almira, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99103 is 16 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).