Palouse, WA
Full City Profile · Washington · Whitman County County
4.9
/5.0
A+
Excellent
1,131
Population
1,077/sq mi density
$92,875
Median Income
$40,903 per capita
$261,000
Home Value
$357,088 Zillow
$933
Median Rent
28.5% income on rent
49°F
Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$92,875 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$261,000 home value, $933/mo rent
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Palouse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.5 inches. The area receives 41.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 20.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,432 ft (741 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,077/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.9103°N, 117.0752°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Whitman County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 20.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 84.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | - | 140 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | - | 123 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | - | 137 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Palouse has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 32°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.4").