Soil Temperature in Washington
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Washington is 67°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 62°F to 77°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Washington with soil averaging 67°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Washington
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Washington. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Washington (5)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Washington. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Washington. See the Washington soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Lind #1 (Adams) | 77°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Cook Farm Field D (Whitman) | 65°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Spokane 17 SSW | 67°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Darrington 21 NNE | 62°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Quinault 4 NE | 64°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Washington (40)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 98001 | 64°F |
| Bellevue | 98004 | 62°F |
| Bellingham | 98225 | 62°F |
| Blaine | 98230 | 62°F |
| Bothell | 98011 | 62°F |
| Bremerton | 98310 | 64°F |
| Edmonds | 98020 | 62°F |
| Everett | 98201 | 62°F |
| Federal Way | 98003 | 64°F |
| Gig Harbor | 98329 | 64°F |
| Issaquah | 98027 | 53°F* |
| Kennewick | 99336 | 77°F |
| Kent | 98030 | 59°F* |
| Kirkland | 98033 | 62°F |
| Lacey | 98503 | 64°F |
| Lakewood | 98439 | 64°F |
| Lynnwood | 98036 | 62°F |
| Marysville | 98270 | 62°F |
| Mount Vernon | 98273 | 62°F |
| Oak Harbor | 98277 | 62°F |
| Olympia | 98501 | 64°F |
| Pasco | 99301 | 77°F |
| Port Angeles | 98362 | 64°F |
| Port Orchard | 98366 | 64°F |
| Pullman | 99163 | 65°F |
| Puyallup | 98371 | 64°F |
| Redmond | 98052 | 62°F |
| Renton | 98055 | 64°F |
| Richland | 99352 | 77°F |
| Sammamish | 98074 | 62°F |
| Seattle | 98101 | 64°F |
| Silverdale | 98315 | 64°F |
| Snohomish | 98290 | 62°F |
| Spokane | 99201 | 67°F |
| Sumner | 98352 | 56°F* |
| Tacoma | 98401 | 64°F |
| Vancouver | 98660 | 62°F* |
| Wenatchee | 98801 | 69°F* |
| Woodinville | 98072 | 62°F |
| Yakima | 98901 | 62°F* |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Washington
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Cool-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, perennial ryegrass, and the cool-season blends.
- How to Identify and Kill Nutsedge in Your Lawn
Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass, which is why standard weed control fails.
- How to Apply Liquid Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Learn how to mix, calibrate, and spray liquid pre-emergent herbicide.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature by Species
The soil temperature each grass species needs to germinate, from 15+ university extensions: tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 68-86°F, Kentucky bluegrass 59-86°F, fine fescue 59-77°F, cool-season 50°F trigger, warm-season 65°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Washington
What is the current soil temperature in Washington?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Washington is 67°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 62°F to 77°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Washington?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Washington, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Washington?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.