Weather & Climate in Buena, WA

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

Buena experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°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 7.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.4 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 791 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	52.3°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	791 ft (241 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	775/sq mi
Coordinates	46.4277°N, 120.3182°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Yakima County County
Nearest Airport	Tri-Cities (PSC) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.8"

79% below US avg

Snowfall 20.4"

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.14"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	94.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.9 / 100
Community Resilience	13.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1,090 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Feb 14, 2011	31 km S of Morton, Washington	M4.3	146 km	4 km
Feb 18, 2015	15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington	M4.2	97 km	4 km
Jun 17, 2010	30 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.2	48 km	3 km
May 20, 1995	15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington	M4.1	134 km	12 km
Jan 30, 2000	6 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M4.1	138 km	-1 km
Aug 16, 2004	16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington	M4.0	92 km	-1 km
Oct 9, 1998	20 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.0	39 km	2 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.9	146 km	-1 km
Jun 25, 2004	17 km W of Packwood, Washington	M3.9	123 km	-1 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	34 km	15 km
Mar 22, 1997	10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon	M3.9	138 km	0 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	85 km	0 km
Jan 3, 2018	37 km SSE of Morton, Washington	M3.9	135 km	10 km
Mar 29, 2010	10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington	M3.8	81 km	1 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	66 km	20 km
Jul 4, 1997	8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington	M3.7	145 km	7 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	81 km	2 km
Jul 13, 1995	13 km ENE of Ashford, Washington	M3.7	127 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1997	14 km NNE of Selah, Washington	M3.7	40 km	18 km
Oct 1, 2004	36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.7	147 km	-2 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 30, 1957	EF2	24 km	1.0 mi	0
May 19, 2006	EF1	83 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 2024	EF0	74 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 13, 2014	EF0	42 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 7, 2008	EF0	24 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 2005	EF0	25 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	62 km	0.5 mi	0
May 15, 2000	EF0	6 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 1999	EF0	36 km	—	0
Aug 26, 1997	EF0	31 km	1.0 mi	0
May 9, 1956	EF0	93 km	10.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1980	WASHINGTON	Explosion	250.0 m	61	145 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Adams (93 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	93 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	120 km
Indian Heaven	Shield(s)	1,806 m (5,925 ft)	-6250	128 km
St. Helens	Stratovolcano	2,549 m (8,363 ft)	2008	145 km
West Crater	Volcanic field	1,329 m (4,360 ft)	-5750	149 km
Hood	Stratovolcano	3,426 m (11,240 ft)	1866	158 km
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	197 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	35 km
2000	24 COMMAND	162,300	56 km
1984	HANFORD	122,914	57 km
2021	SCHNEIDER SPRINGS	114,743	75 km
2000	MULE DRY	90,184	54 km
2013	COLOCKUM TARPS	79,279	85 km
2007	WAUTOMA	77,956	48 km
2020	EVANS CANYON	76,288	51 km
1996	COLD CREEK	72,859	35 km
2018	BOYLSTON	66,292	50 km
2012	TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	65,887	97 km
2023	NEWELL ROAD	61,833	64 km
2015	COUGAR CREEK	51,866	86 km
2024	BIG HORN	51,023	65 km
2009	DRY CREEK COMPLEX	49,843	28 km
2008	COAL PLANT	45,801	95 km
2024	RETREAT	44,681	57 km
2019	COLD CREEK	43,756	51 km
2015	HIGHWAY 8	35,296	70 km
2003	UMTANUM RIDGE	34,351	35 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	1.0 in
February	37°F (3°C)	0.7 in
March	45°F (7°C)	0.6 in
April	51°F (11°C)	0.5 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.5 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.4 in
July	75°F (24°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.4 in
September	62°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	52°F (11°C)	0.5 in
November	40°F (4°C)	1.0 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	1.1 in	Coldest, Wettest

Buena has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 31°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 7.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.1") and July the driest (0.2").

View full profile of Buena, WA →