Weather & Climate in Forks, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forks experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 119.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 88% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 304 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
62°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 50.4°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 304 ft (93 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 824/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9528°N, 124.3903°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Clallam County County |
| Nearest Airport | William R Fairchild International (CLM) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 87.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 63.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
364 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 120 km | 40 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 110 km | 40 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 91 km | 51 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 136 km | 62 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 138 km | 16 km |
| Jan 24, 2020 | 46 km WNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M4.5 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jan 23, 2001 | 9 km NNW of Ucluelet, Canada | M4.3 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 111 km | 23 km |
| Feb 23, 2017 | 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.1 | 114 km | 15 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 110 km | 44 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 40 km SW of Ucluelet, Canada | M4.0 | 134 km | 30 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 115 km | 54 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 110 km | 52 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 133 km | 58 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington | M3.9 | 143 km | 1 km |
| Apr 7, 2001 | 36 km NNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M3.9 | 86 km | 32 km |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 14 km SW of Blyn, Washington | M3.9 | 93 km | 42 km |
| Jul 24, 2011 | 21 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M3.9 | 95 km | 41 km |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 9 km NNE of Ucluelet, Canada | M3.8 | 143 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 2020 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.4 m (8 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | - | 67 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DELABARRE (4,176 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | DELABARRE | 4,176 | 73 km |
| 2015 | PARADISE | 2,818 | 52 km |
| 2016 | HAYES TWO | 2,679 | 76 km |
| 2011 | BIG HUMP | 1,400 | 100 km |
| 1985 | BEAVER | 1,107 | 90 km |
| 2006 | BEAR GULCH II | 1,037 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 19.1 in | Wettest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 11.7 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 14.3 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 9.4 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 11.7 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 18.1 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 17.4 in | Coldest |
Forks has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 40°F in December to 62°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 119.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (19.1") and July the driest (2.1").