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

Planting zone for 99167 — Rice, WA

ZIP code 99167 (Rice, Stevens 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 2.

Where ZIP 99167 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 2

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 Rice, 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 Rice, 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 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Colville, WA — 14 miles away, elevation 1,555 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 99167

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 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 99167 came on Apr 2 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 2

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 Rice, WA.

Soil in Rice, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99167 is Maki — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Maki complex, 30 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 99167; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rice, WA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, August

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,357base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation19.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall43 inper year; 61 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colville, WA (14 mi away); precipitation: Colville, WA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Inchelium, WA · 17 mi

991376b

Hunters, WA · 18 mi

991416b

Kettle Falls, WA · 21 mi

Fruitland, WA · 28 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99167

What planting zone is ZIP code 99167?

ZIP code 99167 (Rice, 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 Rice, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99167 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colville station.

When is the first frost in Rice, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99167 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99167?

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 99167 get?

About 19.9 inches of precipitation a year and 43 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colville station).

How hot do summers get in Rice, WA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in August, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99167 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Maki at the center of ZIP 99167: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rice, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99167 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rice, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99167 is 16 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99167 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99167 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.