Weather & Climate in Chelan, WA

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

Chelan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 273 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 12.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.5 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. 80% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,182 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.1°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,182 ft (360 m)
Area	6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²)
Population Density	644/sq mi
Coordinates	47.8443°N, 120.0136°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Chelan County County
Nearest Airport	Grant County International (MWH) 55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.0"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 20.5"

Wettest Month (Dec) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	80.1%
Unhealthy Days	5

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	48.6 / 100
Community Resilience	70.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

377 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	139 km	4 km
Jun 24, 1997	16 km WNW of Malott, Washington	M4.6	59 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2019	2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington	M4.6	150 km	29 km
Jun 18, 1994	11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington	M4.3	97 km	-1 km
Jun 27, 2013	25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington	M4.3	51 km	8 km
Feb 18, 2015	15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington	M4.2	86 km	4 km
Sep 1, 2015	15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington	M4.2	90 km	9 km
Aug 8, 2023	9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington	M3.9	134 km	16 km
Apr 15, 1991	4 km SE of Pateros, Washington	M3.9	23 km	11 km
Sep 12, 2015	3 km NE of North Bend, Washington	M3.9	135 km	19 km
Mar 29, 2010	10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington	M3.8	118 km	1 km
Jul 4, 1997	8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington	M3.7	14 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1997	14 km NNE of Selah, Washington	M3.7	123 km	18 km
Apr 6, 2025	12 km E of Greenwater, Washington	M3.7	134 km	9 km
Mar 8, 1990	2 km WSW of Swede Heaven, Washington	M3.6	138 km	3 km
Jun 24, 1997	16 km NW of Malott, Washington	M3.6	60 km	7 km
Jan 20, 2025	9 km NE of Snoqualmie, Washington	M3.5	133 km	17 km
Jun 20, 2003	2 km NNW of Ames Lake, Washington	M3.5	149 km	20 km
Oct 26, 1992	12 km N of Naches, Washington	M3.5	123 km	-1 km
Jun 29, 2005	0 km SE of Gleed, Washington	M3.5	140 km	9 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 5, 1972	EF2	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	85 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	85 km	5.0 mi	0
May 30, 1987	EF1	38 km	1.0 mi	0
May 3, 1982	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 15, 1978	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 2024	EF0	86 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2023	EF0	94 km	0.9 mi	0
May 26, 2023	EF0	87 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	46 km	0.2 mi	0
May 19, 2010	EF0	98 km	0.2 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF0	50 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 26, 1997	EF0	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 4, 1992	EF0	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1979	EF0	89 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1949	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	124 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	148 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	139 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (87 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	87 km
Baker	Stratovolcano(es)	3,285 m (10,778 ft)	1880	169 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	172 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARLTON COMPLEX (276,249 acres, 2014).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2014	CARLTON COMPLEX	276,249	45 km
2020	PEARL HILL	217,720	27 km
2020	COLD SPRINGS	187,561	55 km
2015	TUNK BLOCK	180,111	86 km
2015	LIMEBELT	137,098	77 km
1994	TYEE CREEK	123,618	27 km
2012	BARKER CANYON COMPLEX	85,906	63 km
2013	COLOCKUM TARPS	79,279	74 km
2018	GRASS VALLEY	76,074	64 km
2021	CUB CREEK 2	74,601	93 km
2015	WOLVERINE	66,329	57 km
2012	TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	65,887	73 km
2015	BLACK CANYON	61,379	15 km
2021	WHITMORE	59,925	70 km
2006	TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD)	59,712	77 km
2021	CEDAR CREEK	58,591	80 km
2001	REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK)	54,456	49 km
2018	CRESCENT MOUNTAIN	53,258	68 km
2018	COUGAR CREEK	42,681	35 km
2002	DEER POINT	41,348	22 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	2.3 in
February	31°F (-1°C)	1.6 in
March	38°F (4°C)	1.3 in
April	46°F (8°C)	0.9 in
May	54°F (12°C)	1.0 in
June	61°F (16°C)	0.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	67°F (20°C)	0.7 in
September	58°F (15°C)	0.7 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.9 in
November	35°F (1°C)	2.2 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Wettest

Chelan has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (0.5").

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