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

Planting zone for 99137 — Hunters, WA

ZIP code 99137 (Hunters, Stevens County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 15.

Where ZIP 99137 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 16
First frostSep 15
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hunters, 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 Hunters, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 15median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season120 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around September 28.

From the NOAA station Chewelah, WA — 19 miles away, elevation 1,670 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 99137

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 21 – Aug 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 1 – Oct 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 15) 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 99137 came on Apr 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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.

Trees 31

Shrubs 102

Wildflowers & perennials 279

Grasses 154

Vines 3

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 Hunters, WA.

Soil in Hunters, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99137 is Aits — stony ashy loam, well drained.

TextureStony ashy loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aits stony loam, 40 to 65 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 99137; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hunters, WA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,864base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 04 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation22.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 20 °F 33°20° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 49 °F 86°49° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 47 °F 86°47° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 39 °F 76°39° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 31 °F 59°31° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 21 °F 33°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.66 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 AprMay: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 JulAugust: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 AugSeptember: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 NovDecember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chewelah, WA (19 mi away); precipitation: Gold Mountain, WA (16 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.

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99137

What planting zone is ZIP code 99137?

ZIP code 99137 (Hunters, 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 Hunters, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99137 is May 16; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chewelah station.

When is the first frost in Hunters, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99137 is September 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 120 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99137?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99137 get?

About 22.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gold Mountain station).

How hot do summers get in Hunters, WA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99137 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aits at the center of ZIP 99137: stony ashy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hunters, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99137 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hunters, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99137 is 16 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99137 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99137 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.