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Weather & Climate in Bellingham, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bellingham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 45.5 inches. The area receives 30.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 62 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 233 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 28.2 sq mi (73.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,275/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.7534°N, 122.4702°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Island County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bellingham International (BLI) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.4 / 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
561 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington | M5.4 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 25 km | 12 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 129 km | 13 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 134 km | 51 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 108 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 104 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 29 km | 16 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 22 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 57 km | 23 km |
| Feb 23, 2017 | 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.1 | 148 km | 15 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 24 km | 1 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 22 km | 3 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 60 km | 52 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 58 km | 54 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 64 km | 58 km |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.9 | 138 km | 16 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington | M3.9 | 129 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 13, 1986 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2005 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1971 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2004 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2004 | EF0 | 33 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1997 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 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 | — | 86 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 113 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 78 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (48 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 48 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 123 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 128 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 137 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 163 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SOURDOUGH (7,517 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | SOURDOUGH | 7,517 | 96 km |
| 2015 | GOODELL | 6,624 | 92 km |
| 2022 | SUIATTLE RIVER | 4,400 | 96 km |
| 2022 | COPPER LAKE | 3,825 | 80 km |
| 2022 | BRUSH CREEK 2 | 3,186 | 81 km |
| 2022 | SILESIA | 2,737 | 73 km |
| 2022 | BOULDER LAKE | 2,347 | 93 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE CHILL | 2,242 | 78 km |
| 2003 | BIGBEAVER | 1,807 | 98 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,174 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 6.0 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 6.5 in | Coldest |
Bellingham has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 38°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (7.1") and July the driest (1.7").