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Weather & Climate in Anacortes, WA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Anacortes experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 274 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 19.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 248 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 62°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average62°F (16°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation248 ft (76 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²)
Population Density1,525/sq mi
Coordinates48.4887°N, 122.6240°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyIsland County County
Nearest AirportSkagit Regional (MVW)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.9"
48% below US avg
Snowfall 5.4"
Wettest Month (Nov) 3.70"
Driest Month (Jul) 1.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score78.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability36.8 / 100
Community Resilience80.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Very Low
Volcano Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

634 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.

Feb 28, 2001 7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington M6.8 149 km 52 km
May 3, 1996 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington M5.4 98 km 4 km
Jan 29, 1995 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington M5.0 124 km 15 km
Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 52 km 12 km
Jun 23, 1997 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington M4.9 99 km 13 km
Feb 21, 2025 28 km W of Squamish, Canada M4.8 150 km 10 km
Apr 25, 2003 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington M4.8 102 km 51 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 78 km 62 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 82 km 29 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 19 km 16 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 111 km 3 km
Jun 18, 1994 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington M4.3 139 km -1 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 50 km 0 km
Feb 19, 1991 31 km E of Squamish, Canada M4.3 134 km 5 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 37 km 23 km
Feb 23, 2017 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington M4.1 116 km 15 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 51 km 1 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 49 km 3 km
Jun 15, 1994 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington M4.0 127 km 44 km
Sep 26, 2024 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada M4.0 47 km 52 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 13, 1986 EF2 52 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 24, 1970 EF2 53 km 0.3 mi 0
May 18, 2005 EF1 42 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 26, 1971 EF1 78 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 2006 EF0 96 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 5, 2004 EF0 40 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 27, 2004 EF0 64 km 2.7 mi 0
Jun 11, 2001 EF0 99 km — 0
Aug 24, 1997 EF0 74 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF0 97 km 0.8 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2007 CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK Meteorological 38.0 m — 118 km
1894 PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA Meteorological 3.0 m 2 134 km
1891 WASHINGTON Eruption + Earthquake 2.4 m — 85 km
1949 PUGET SOUND, WA Meteorological 2.4 m — 132 km
1949 PUGET SOUND, WA Eruption + Earthquake — 8 147 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological — — 52 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (68 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 68 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 119 km
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 154 km
Garibaldi Lake Volcanic field 2,316 m (7,598 ft) Unknown 163 km
Cayley Volcanic Field Volcanic field 2,375 m (7,792 ft) Unknown 188 km
Rainier Stratovolcano 4,392 m (14,409 ft) 1450 193 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SUIATTLE RIVER (4,400 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 SUIATTLE RIVER 4,400 95 km
2022 SILESIA 2,737 96 km
2016 HAYES TWO 2,679 95 km
2022 BOULDER LAKE 2,347 94 km
2011 BIG HUMP 1,400 95 km
1998 UNNAMED 1,174 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 44°F (7°C) 3.4 in
February 42°F (6°C) 2.4 in
March 45°F (7°C) 2.3 in
April 48°F (9°C) 2.0 in
May 53°F (12°C) 1.7 in
June 57°F (14°C) 1.5 in
July 62°F (16°C) 1.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 61°F (16°C) 1.1 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.5 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 44°F (7°C) 3.7 in Wettest
December 40°F (5°C) 3.6 in Coldest

Anacortes has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 40°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.7") and July the driest (1.0").

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