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Weather & Climate in Birch Bay, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Birch Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches. The area receives 9.3 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 13 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 233 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 8.2 sq mi (21.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 650/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.9234°N, 122.7453°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Island County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bellingham International (BLI) 13 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
473 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 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 44 km | 12 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 148 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 144 km | 51 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 127 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 129 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 35 km | 16 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 73 km | 3 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 42 km | 0 km |
| Feb 22, 1996 | 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada | M4.1 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 56 km | 23 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 42 km | 3 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 43 km | 1 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 53 km | 52 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 48 km | 54 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 82 km | 58 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington | M3.9 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Apr 7, 2001 | 36 km NNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M3.9 | 148 km | 32 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 13, 1986 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2005 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2004 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2004 | EF0 | 39 km | 2.7 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 | — | 81 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 117 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 100 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (70 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 70 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 105 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 114 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 139 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 150 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 197 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COPPER LAKE (3,825 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | COPPER LAKE | 3,825 | 97 km |
| 2022 | BRUSH CREEK 2 | 3,186 | 99 km |
| 2022 | SILESIA | 2,737 | 90 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE CHILL | 2,242 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 6.1 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 1.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
Birch Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 38°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (7.1") and July the driest (1.6").