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Will it freeze in Federal Way in the next 7 nights?
No overnight lows at or below 32°F are forecast in Federal Way during the next 7 nights in the available NWS frost forecast.
Tonight: forecast low 44°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM PST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM PST.
No nights at or below 36°F in the National Weather Service forecast for the next 7 nights.
- Tonight 44°F Above 36°F · Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
- Fri, Nov 6 49°F Above 36°F · Light Rain
- Sat, Nov 7 49°F Above 36°F · Light Rain
- Sun, Nov 8 40°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Mon, Nov 9 47°F Above 36°F · Light Rain Likely
- Tue, Nov 10 50°F Above 36°F · Light Rain Likely
- Wed, Nov 11 48°F Above 36°F · Chance Light Rain
Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.
Frost and freeze probabilities
Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.
These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.
Average first hard freeze in Federal Way
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is December 1, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Tacoma #1. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.
| Temperature | Last spring date 90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze | First fall date 10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F frost possible | Mar 13 · Apr 2 · Apr 24 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 15 | 209 days |
| 32°F freeze | Feb 15 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 250 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Dec 29 · Feb 11 · Mar 4 | Nov 8 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 301 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Tacoma #1
Average low temperature by month
Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk
Where these frost dates come from
The frost dates for Federal Way, WA come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Tacoma #1 (station USC00458278, elevation 25 ft), 5.7 mi from Federal Way. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.
Frost dates near Federal Way
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton, WA | 4.3 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Pacific, WA | 5.0 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Des Moines, WA | 5.6 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| Fife, WA | 5.6 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Auburn, WA | 6.2 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Edgewood, WA | 6.2 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Tacoma, WA | 6.8 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Sumner, WA | 7.5 mi | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Kent, WA | 8.1 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Normandy Park, WA | 8.7 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Federal Way?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Federal Way is around March 8. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after March 31, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after February 15.
When is the first frost in Federal Way?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around November 14. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 30 and a 90% chance by December 2.
Can it frost in Federal Way after the last frost date?
Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after April 2.
What growing zone is Federal Way?
Federal Way is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 98023. See growing zones in Washington.
More: all Washington frost dates · Washington growing zones · UV index today in Federal Way · frost vs. freeze