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

Planting zone for 99153 — Metaline Falls, WA

ZIP code 99153 (Metaline Falls, 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 99153 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 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Metaline 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 Metaline Falls, 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 99153

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 99153 came on May 6 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 15).

average
May 152026
May 6

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.

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 Falls, WA.

Soil in Metaline Falls, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99153 is Buhrig — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Buhrig-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 99153; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Metaline Falls, 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 14 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boundary Dam, WA (11 mi away); precipitation: Metaline Falls 0.4 Ssw, WA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Priest River, ID · 42 mi

991806a

Usk, WA · 42 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99153

What planting zone is ZIP code 99153?

ZIP code 99153 (Metaline Falls, 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 Falls, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99153 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 Falls, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99153 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99153?

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 99153 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 Falls, 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 99153 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buhrig at the center of ZIP 99153: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 99153 came on May 6 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Metaline Falls, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99153 is 16 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99153 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99153 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.