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Weather & Climate in Friday Harbor, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Friday Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 274 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 18.5 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 77 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 77 ft (23 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,226/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.5339°N, 123.0190°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Juan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Skagit Regional (MVW) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 35.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
630 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 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 72 km | 12 km |
| Jan 29, 1995 | 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington | M5.0 | 137 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 98 km | 51 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 89 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 105 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 18 km | 16 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 90 km | 3 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 69 km | 0 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 10 km | 23 km |
| Feb 23, 2017 | 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.1 | 117 km | 15 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 126 km | 44 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 71 km | 1 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 22 km | 54 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 18 km | 52 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 47 km | 58 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 13, 1986 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2005 | EF1 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2004 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2004 | EF0 | 78 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1997 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
5 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 | — | 127 km |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 145 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 69 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 142 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 72 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (93 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 93 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 146 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 149 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 156 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 177 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DELABARRE (4,176 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | DELABARRE | 4,176 | 91 km |
| 2016 | HAYES TWO | 2,679 | 86 km |
| 2011 | BIG HUMP | 1,400 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
Friday Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 41°F in December to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (0.8").