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

Planting zone for 99649 — Pilot Point, AK

ZIP code 99649 (Pilot Point, Lake and Peninsula County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 11.

Where ZIP 99649 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostJun 9
First frostSep 11
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pilot Point, 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 Pilot Point, AK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 11median — 10% chance by Aug 26
Growing season93 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 24.

From the NOAA station King Salmon 42 Se, AK — 70 miles away, elevation 663 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 99649

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 17 – Jul 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 28 – Oct 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 11) 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 5a in Alaska

275 plants native to Alaska, recorded in Alaska, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 14

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack spruce65 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −79 °Flodgepole pine99 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −70 °FPacific silver fir165 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fpaper birch70 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −62 °F

Shrubs 46

alpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fblack crowberry1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fblack hawthorn15 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −47 °Fbog blueberry2 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 119

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine aster0.3 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Grasses 87

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Pilot Point, AK.

Soil in Pilot Point, AK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99649 is E36-maritime scrub-ashy till slopes — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bristol Bay-Northern Alaska Peninsula Lowlands-Maritime Upland-Glaciated Plains, Ash Influenced.

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 99649; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pilot Point, AK

Summer high62 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days299base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day18 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day6 h 35 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

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°32 °FJanuary: average high 26 °F, low 10 °F 26°10° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 13 °F 31°13° FebMarch: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° MarApril: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° AprMay: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° MayJune: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° JunJuly: average high 62 °F, low 46 °F 62°46° JulAugust: average high 61 °F, low 45 °F 61°45° AugSeptember: average high 54 °F, low 39 °F 54°39° SepOctober: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° OctNovember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 12 °F 27°12° Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: King Salmon 42 Se, AK (70 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

995795a
Egegik, AK · 50 mi
995495b
Port Heiden, AK · 61 mi
996704b
South Naknek, AK · 81 mi
996334b
Naknek, AK · 90 mi
995646b
Chignik, AK · 93 mi
995656a
Chignik Lagoon, AK · 95 mi
995694b
Clarks Point, AK · 101 mi
995486b
Chignik Lake, AK · 102 mi

Alaska planting zones →

Questions about 99649

What planting zone is ZIP code 99649?

ZIP code 99649 (Pilot Point, AK) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Pilot Point, AK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99649 is June 9; after June 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, King Salmon 42 Se station.

When is the first frost in Pilot Point, AK?

The median first fall frost near 99649 is September 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 93 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99649?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How hot do summers get in Pilot Point, AK?

The average high peaks at 62 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99649 have?

The USDA soil survey maps E36-maritime scrub-ashy till slopes at the center of ZIP 99649: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

What kind of onions grow in Pilot Point, AK?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99649 is 18 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99649 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99649 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.