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Weather & Climate in Departure Bay, BC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Departure Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 225 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 53.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 161 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 225 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Area | 83.2 sq mi (215.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 79/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.2021°N, 123.9762°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
274 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Jan 8, 2015 | 19 km E of Tofino, Canada | M4.8 | 122 km | 25 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 108 km | 16 km |
| Jan 24, 2020 | 46 km WNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M4.5 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 26 km | 3 km |
| Jan 23, 2001 | 9 km NNW of Ucluelet, Canada | M4.3 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 137 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 101 km | 23 km |
| Feb 22, 1996 | 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada | M4.1 | 78 km | 2 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 81 km | 54 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 87 km | 52 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 149 km | 58 km |
| Apr 7, 2001 | 36 km NNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M3.9 | 80 km | 32 km |
| Nov 20, 1994 | 26 km N of Ucluelet, Canada | M3.9 | 113 km | 38 km |
| May 16, 2001 | 35 km NE of Tofino, Canada | M3.9 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 9 km NNE of Ucluelet, Canada | M3.8 | 111 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
4 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 | — | 146 km |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 101 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 138 km |
| 1958 | RIPPLE ROCK, BC | Earthquake + Landslide | 0.5 m | — | 136 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (101 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 101 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 108 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 114 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 162 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 165 km |
| Bridge River Cones | Volcanic field | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Unknown | 182 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 6.7 in | |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 6.7 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 6.9 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Departure Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 39°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.9") and July the driest (1.0").