Weather & Climate in College Place, WA

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

College Place experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24 / among the cleanest air in the country. 86% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 782 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Geography

Elevation782 ft (238 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density2,768/sq mi
Coordinates46.0416°N, 118.3894°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyWalla Walla County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.7"
51% below US avg
Snowfall 6.5"
Wettest Month (Nov) 2.25"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.40"

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood
Good Days %85.8%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability46.0 / 100
Community Resilience54.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

132 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 8 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 8 km 11 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 95 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 127 km 10 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 79 km 2 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 91 km 20 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 39 km 20 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 79 km 1 km
Dec 22, 1990 9 km NW of Mattawa, Washington M3.4 149 km 3 km
Nov 6, 1997 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.4 115 km 22 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 71 km 17 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 97 km 0 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 7 km 8 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 78 km 1 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 78 km 2 km
Apr 22, 1990 20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.3 118 km 21 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 114 km 2 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 49 km 1 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 116 km 2 km
Jun 16, 2019 11 km SW of Royal City, Washington M3.3 135 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 85 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 68 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 42 km 0.3 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 30 km 2.9 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 37 km 1.6 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 43 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 72 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 83 km 2.3 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 19 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 11 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 31, 2020 EF0 76 km 0.1 mi 0
May 22, 2016 EF0 63 km 0.2 mi 0
May 9, 2013 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 84 km 0.2 mi 0
May 23, 2004 EF0 76 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 13, 2002 EF0 51 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 9, 1995 EF0 71 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 35 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 6 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF0 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 47 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 78 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 60 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 65 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 59 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 94 km
2000 UNNAMED 27,815 92 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 65 km
1996 UNNAMED 21,130 34 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 48 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 47 km
2024 JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID 18,287 82 km
2023 HAT ROCK 17,264 50 km
1990 LOCUSTGROV 17,187 66 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 58 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 62 km
1986 JOSEPH CANYON 1 14,398 98 km
2018 LAKE WALLULA 11,972 50 km
2020 EAST FORK BUTTER CREEK 11,496 97 km
2010 HUBBARD 10,824 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 36°F (2°C) 2.1 in
February 40°F (4°C) 1.6 in
March 47°F (8°C) 2.1 in
April 53°F (11°C) 2.0 in
May 60°F (16°C) 2.1 in
June 67°F (19°C) 1.2 in
July 76°F (25°C) 0.5 in Warmest
August 75°F (24°C) 0.4 in Driest
September 66°F (19°C) 0.6 in
October 54°F (12°C) 1.7 in
November 42°F (6°C) 2.3 in Wettest
December 36°F (2°C) 2.2 in Coldest

College Place has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 36°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.3") and August the driest (0.4").

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