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Weather & Climate in Coulee Dam, WA

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

Coulee Dam experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°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 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 1,149 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,149 ft (350 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density2,024/sq mi
Coordinates47.9685°N, 118.9763°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyLincoln County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"
71% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 1.77"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score54.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability78.2 / 100
Community Resilience59.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

182 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 81 km 10 km
Jun 27, 2013 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington M4.3 129 km 8 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 38 km 9 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 122 km 4 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 66 km 11 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 139 km 1 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 122 km 10 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 141 km 5 km
Jul 4, 1997 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington M3.7 84 km 7 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 81 km 7 km
Dec 24, 2000 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington M3.5 99 km 7 km
Jan 24, 1992 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington M3.4 93 km 6 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 121 km 10 km
Jun 6, 2002 7 km NW of Entiat, Washington M3.4 102 km 6 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 122 km 0 km
Sep 13, 2012 10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington M3.4 105 km 9 km
Jul 24, 2017 Washington M3.3 83 km 2 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 128 km 2 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 129 km 2 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 146 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 96 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 31 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 66 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 22 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 22 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 98 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 98 km 1.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 43 km 12.0 mi 0
May 30, 1987 EF1 63 km 1.0 mi 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 64 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF1 28 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 66 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 10, 2023 EF0 29 km 0.9 mi 0
May 26, 2023 EF0 96 km 0.4 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 38 km 0.2 mi 0
May 19, 2010 EF0 88 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 40 km 2.4 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

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

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 91 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 49 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 91 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 91 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 73 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 91 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 62 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 91 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 91 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (160 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 160 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 79 km
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 50 km
2020 PEARL HILL 217,720 52 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 48 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 63 km
2015 LIMEBELT 137,098 80 km
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 50 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 18 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 15 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 67 km
2015 BLACK CANYON 61,379 80 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 33 km
2006 TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) 59,712 98 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 60 km
2019 WILLIAMS FLATS 44,680 36 km
2002 DEER POINT 41,348 90 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 22 km
2001 VIRGINIA L 35,780 57 km
2001 ST MARYS 34,914 47 km
1985 BARKER MT 32,839 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 1.2 in
February 32°F (0°C) 1.1 in
March 40°F (4°C) 1.1 in
April 47°F (8°C) 0.9 in
May 55°F (13°C) 1.2 in
June 62°F (17°C) 0.9 in
July 74°F (23°C) 0.6 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 0.6 in Driest
September 60°F (15°C) 0.6 in
October 48°F (9°C) 0.8 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.7 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 1.8 in Coldest, Wettest

Coulee Dam has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 27°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.8") and August the driest (0.6").

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