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

Planting zone for 99548 — Chignik Lake, AK

ZIP code 99548 (Chignik Lake, Lake and Peninsula County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 99548 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 11

First frostOct 18

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chignik Lake, AK…

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 Chignik Lake, AK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Sand Point 1 Ene, AK — 91 miles away, elevation 240 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 99548

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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.

Native plants for zone 6b in Alaska

286 plants native to Alaska, recorded in Alaska, 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 Chignik Lake, AK.

Soil in Chignik Lake, AK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99548 is E25-Maritime tall scrub-sandy volcanic slopes — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Southern Alaska Peninsula Mountains-Maritime Upland-Volcanic Mountains and Lowland-Flood Plains and Stream Terraces.

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 99548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chignik Lake, AK

Summer high57 °Faverage high, August

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days196base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day17 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day6 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Average high and low, by month

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sand Point 1 Ene, AK (91 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 6 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

995656a

Chignik Lagoon, AK · 11 mi

995646b

Chignik, AK · 15 mi

996486b

Perryville, AK · 27 mi

996956b

Anchorage, AK · 37 mi

995495b

Port Heiden, AK · 49 mi

996495a

Pilot Point, AK · 102 mi

Alaska planting zones →

Questions about 99548

What planting zone is ZIP code 99548?

ZIP code 99548 (Chignik Lake, AK) 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 Chignik Lake, AK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99548 is May 11; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sand Point 1 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Chignik Lake, AK?

The median first fall frost near 99548 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99548?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How hot do summers get in Chignik Lake, AK?

The average high peaks at 57 °F in August, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps E25-Maritime tall scrub-sandy volcanic slopes at the center of ZIP 99548: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

What kind of onions grow in Chignik Lake, AK?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99548 is 17 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).