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

Planting zone for 99155 — Nespelem, WA

ZIP code 99155 (Nespelem, Okanogan County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 99155 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 frostApr 22
First frostOct 21
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 Nespelem, 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 Nespelem, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Coulee Dam 1 Sw, WA — 25 miles away, elevation 1,719 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 99155

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 99155 came on Apr 4 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

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 Nespelem, WA.

Soil in Nespelem, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99155 is Nevine — ashy silt loam, well drained.

TextureAshy silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Nevine silt loams association, 5 to 20 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 99155; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nespelem, WA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,717base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation27.7 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 23 °F 33°23° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 59 °F 88°59° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 31 °F 43°31° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 24 °F 33°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 JunJuly: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 AugSeptember: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 SepOctober: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Coulee Dam 1 Sw, WA (25 mi away); precipitation: Moses Mtn, WA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 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 99155

What planting zone is ZIP code 99155?

ZIP code 99155 (Nespelem, 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 Nespelem, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99155 is April 22; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coulee Dam 1 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Nespelem, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99155 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99155?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99155 get?

About 27.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moses Mtn station).

How hot do summers get in Nespelem, 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 99155 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nevine at the center of ZIP 99155: ashy silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Nespelem, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99155 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nespelem, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99155 is 16 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99155 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99155 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.