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Weather & Climate in Benton City, WA

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

Benton City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 279 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 7.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. 82% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 466 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.6°F
1% below US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation466 ft (142 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density1,429/sq mi
Coordinates46.2637°N, 119.4790°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyBenton County County
Nearest AirportTri-Cities (PSC)
17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.3"
81% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 1.18"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood
Good Days %81.7%
Unhealthy Days3

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score87.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability30.3 / 100
Community Resilience58.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

219 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 95 km 9 km
Feb 18, 2015 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington M4.2 146 km 4 km
Jun 17, 2010 30 km S of White Swan, Washington M4.2 99 km 3 km
Jan 30, 2000 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon M4.1 129 km -1 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 95 km 11 km
Oct 9, 1998 20 km S of White Swan, Washington M4.0 95 km 2 km
Mar 22, 1997 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon M3.9 127 km 0 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 46 km 0 km
Nov 18, 1997 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington M3.9 78 km 15 km
Mar 29, 2010 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington M3.8 140 km 1 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 24 km 2 km
Jan 1, 1997 14 km NNE of Selah, Washington M3.7 94 km 18 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 12 km 20 km
Feb 1, 2000 7 km SE of Condon, Oregon M3.6 129 km -1 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 95 km 20 km
Jun 29, 2005 0 km SE of Gleed, Washington M3.5 97 km 9 km
Aug 31, 1999 Washington-Oregon border region M3.5 129 km 3 km
Oct 26, 1992 12 km N of Naches, Washington M3.5 114 km -1 km
Oct 12, 2017 25 km NW of Bickleton, Washington M3.4 83 km 13 km
Jan 30, 2000 8 km SE of Condon, Oregon M3.4 130 km -1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 47 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 30, 1957 EF2 87 km 1.0 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 96 km 1.6 mi 0
May 19, 2006 EF1 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 10, 1985 EF1 87 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 47 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 72 km 2.3 mi 0
May 1, 2024 EF0 100 km 0.4 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 93 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 31, 2020 EF0 17 km 0.1 mi 0
May 22, 2016 EF0 25 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 13, 2014 EF0 25 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 14, 2011 EF0 95 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 7, 2008 EF0 90 km 0.1 mi 0
May 9, 2005 EF0 86 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 23, 2005 EF0 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 23, 2005 EF0 63 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 7, 2004 EF0 33 km 0.5 mi 0
May 23, 2004 EF0 59 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Adams (155 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Adams Stratovolcano 3,742 m (12,277 ft) 950 155 km
Indian Heaven Shield(s) 1,806 m (5,925 ft) -6250 184 km
Rainier Stratovolcano 4,392 m (14,409 ft) 1450 186 km
Hood Stratovolcano 3,426 m (11,240 ft) 1866 198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANGE 12 (167,604 acres, 2016).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2016 RANGE 12 167,604 40 km
2000 24 COMMAND 162,300 21 km
1984 HANFORD 122,914 19 km
2000 MULE DRY 90,184 59 km
2007 WAUTOMA 77,956 29 km
1996 COLD CREEK 72,859 64 km
2018 BOYLSTON 66,292 81 km
2023 NEWELL ROAD 61,833 81 km
2024 BIG HORN 51,023 65 km
2009 DRY CREEK COMPLEX 49,843 43 km
2008 COAL PLANT 45,801 66 km
2019 COLD CREEK 43,756 27 km
2015 HIGHWAY 8 35,296 75 km
2003 UMTANUM RIDGE 34,351 65 km
2017 SILVER DOLLAR 30,789 41 km
2022 VANTAGE HIGHWAY 29,299 96 km
2007 HORSE HEAVEN COMPLEX (SIX PRONG) 28,225 67 km
2000 UNNAMED 27,815 89 km
2015 UNNAMED 27,736 69 km
2017 400 27,218 61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 35°F (2°C) 1.1 in
February 38°F (3°C) 0.8 in
March 45°F (7°C) 0.8 in
April 52°F (11°C) 0.6 in
May 60°F (16°C) 0.7 in
June 67°F (20°C) 0.4 in
July 75°F (24°C) 0.2 in Warmest, Driest
August 73°F (23°C) 0.4 in
September 64°F (18°C) 0.4 in
October 52°F (11°C) 0.6 in
November 40°F (5°C) 1.1 in
December 33°F (0°C) 1.2 in Coldest, Wettest

Benton City has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 33°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.2") and July the driest (0.2").

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