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Weather & Climate in Glacier, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Glacier experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 98.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 977 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 47.5°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 977 ft (298 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 175/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.8921°N, 121.9322°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Whatcom County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bellingham International (BLI) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.7 / 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 Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
465 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 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 18 km | 12 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 132 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 114 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 71 km | 16 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 20 km | 0 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 150 km | -1 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 99 km | 23 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 19 km | 1 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 20 km | 3 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 100 km | 54 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 103 km | 52 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 94 km | 58 km |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.9 | 144 km | 16 km |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 14 km SW of Blyn, Washington | M3.9 | 140 km | 42 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 3 km SW of Clear Lake, Washington | M3.8 | 55 km | 0 km |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 7 km WNW of Lofall, Washington | M3.7 | 132 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 13, 1986 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2005 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2004 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2004 | EF0 | 24 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 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 | — | 64 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 98 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (16 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 16 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 106 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 132 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 139 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 168 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TATOOSH COMPLEX (48,862 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | TATOOSH COMPLEX | 48,862 | 98 km |
| 2022 | PARKS | 34,621 | 92 km |
| 2023 | SOURDOUGH | 7,517 | 59 km |
| 2015 | GOODELL | 6,624 | 57 km |
| 2022 | KID | 5,188 | 93 km |
| 2022 | SUIATTLE RIVER | 4,400 | 79 km |
| 2022 | COPPER LAKE | 3,825 | 38 km |
| 1996 | ELBOW BASIN | 3,650 | 79 km |
| 2022 | BRUSH CREEK 2 | 3,186 | 39 km |
| 2003 | MINERAL PARK | 3,010 | 78 km |
| 2022 | SILESIA | 2,737 | 31 km |
| 2022 | MCALLISTER CREEK | 2,581 | 68 km |
| 2022 | THREE FOOLS | 2,451 | 75 km |
| 2022 | BOULDER LAKE | 2,347 | 74 km |
| 2020 | DOWNEY CREEK | 2,324 | 89 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE CHILL | 2,242 | 36 km |
| 2023 | DOME PEAK | 1,873 | 96 km |
| 2003 | BIGBEAVER | 1,807 | 60 km |
| 2001 | REX CREEK COMPLEX (GLORY MOUNTAIN) | 1,331 | 88 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,174 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 9.7 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 6.9 in | |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 6.4 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 51°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 6.6 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 10.8 in | Wettest |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 9.4 in | Coldest |
Glacier has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 29°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 69.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (10.8") and July the driest (2.2").