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

Planting zone for 99926 — Metlakatla, AK

ZIP code 99926 (Metlakatla, Prince of Wales-Hyder County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 99926 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 25
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Metlakatla, 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 Metlakatla, AK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Metlakatla 6 S, AK — 8 miles away, elevation 105 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 99926

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 8a in Alaska

292 plants native to Alaska, recorded in Alaska, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 16

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 °Fmountain hemlock125 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FPacific silver fir165 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Shrubs 51

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 125

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 89

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska 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 °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 Metlakatla, AK.

Soil in Metlakatla, AK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99926 is E20-maritime forest-loamy colluvial slopes, shallow — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains.

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 99926; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Metlakatla, AK

Summer high63 °Faverage high, August
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights75nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days775base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day17 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day7 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation105.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 31 °F 41°31° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 31 °F 42°31° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 33 °F 44°33° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° AprMay: average high 56 °F, low 43 °F 56°43° MayJune: average high 60 °F, low 48 °F 60°48° JunJuly: average high 62 °F, low 53 °F 62°53° JulAugust: average high 63 °F, low 53 °F 63°53° AugSeptember: average high 59 °F, low 47 °F 59°47° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 41 °F 52°41° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 35 °F 45°35° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 32 °F 41°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.02 in precipitation 11.0 JanFebruary: 7.59 in precipitation 7.6 FebMarch: 8.22 in precipitation 8.2 MarApril: 6.96 in precipitation 7.0 AprMay: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 JunJuly: 5.59 in precipitation 5.6 JulAugust: 8.27 in precipitation 8.3 AugSeptember: 10.01 in precipitation 10.0 SepOctober: 12.77 in precipitation 12.8 OctNovember: 12.80 in precipitation 12.8 NovDecember: 11.43 in precipitation 11.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Metlakatla 6 S, AK (8 mi away); precipitation: Metlakatla 6 S, AK (8 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.

999288a
Ward Cove, AK · 19 mi
999017b
Ketchikan, AK · 36 mi
999037b
Meyers Chuck, AK · 48 mi
999197b
Thorne Bay, AK · 53 mi
999217b
Craig, AK · 55 mi
999257b
Klawock, AK · 65 mi
999188a
Coffman Cove, AK · 72 mi
999297b
Wrangell, AK · 77 mi

Alaska planting zones →

Questions about 99926

What planting zone is ZIP code 99926?

ZIP code 99926 (Metlakatla, AK) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Metlakatla, AK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99926 is April 14; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Metlakatla 6 S station.

When is the first frost in Metlakatla, AK?

The median first fall frost near 99926 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99926?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99926 get?

About 105.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Metlakatla 6 S station).

How hot do summers get in Metlakatla, AK?

The average high peaks at 63 °F in August, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99926 have?

The USDA soil survey maps E20-maritime forest-loamy colluvial slopes, shallow at the center of ZIP 99926: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

What kind of onions grow in Metlakatla, AK?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99926 is 17 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).