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

Planting zone for 99152 — Metaline, WA

ZIP code 99152 (Metaline, Pend Oreille County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 99152 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 4
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Metaline, 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 Metaline, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Boundary Dam, WA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,837 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 99152

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 99152 came on Apr 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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 6a in Washington

576 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 30

Shrubs 102

Wildflowers & perennials 276

Grasses 153

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 Metaline, WA.

Soil in Metaline, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99152 is Clayton — ashy fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureAshy fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clayton fine sandy 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 99152; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Metaline, WA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, August
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,839base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.9 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 21 °F 33°21° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 52 °F 84°52° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 43 °F 73°43° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 28 °F 40°28° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 21 °F 32°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 MayJune: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boundary Dam, WA (11 mi away); precipitation: Metaline Falls 0.4 Ssw, 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.

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99152

What planting zone is ZIP code 99152?

ZIP code 99152 (Metaline, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Metaline, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99152 is May 4; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boundary Dam station.

When is the first frost in Metaline, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99152 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99152?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99152 get?

About 31.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Metaline Falls 0.4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Metaline, WA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in August, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99152 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clayton at the center of ZIP 99152: ashy fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Metaline, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99152 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Metaline, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99152 is 16 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).