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Weather & Climate in Grand Coulee, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grand Coulee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°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 10.9 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 1,543 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-3°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.8°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,543 ft (470 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 775/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9391°N, 119.0021°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
191 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 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 41 km | 9 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 65 km | 11 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 1997 | 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington | M3.7 | 81 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 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Jan 24, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington | M3.4 | 90 km | 6 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Dec 22, 1990 | 9 km NW of Mattawa, Washington | M3.4 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 7 km NW of Entiat, Washington | M3.4 | 99 km | 6 km |
| Sep 13, 2012 | 10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington | M3.4 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2017 | Washington | M3.3 | 80 km | 2 km |
| Mar 28, 1991 | 8 km W of Entiat, Washington | M3.3 | 103 km | -1 km |
| May 11, 2001 | 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington | M3.3 | 83 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
26 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 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 28 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 67 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 26 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 26 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 41 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1987 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1970 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2023 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2016 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2010 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 40 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 40 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 40 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 41 km | 1.3 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 | — | 94 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 50 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 95 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 94 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 74 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 94 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 63 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 94 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 94 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (158 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 158 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 | 53 km |
| 2020 | PEARL HILL | 217,720 | 50 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 49 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 65 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 81 km |
| 2020 | WHITNEY | 127,930 | 49 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 18 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 12 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 69 km |
| 2015 | BLACK CANYON | 61,379 | 78 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 35 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 98 km |
| 2021 | SUMMIT TRAIL | 54,855 | 64 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 38 km |
| 2002 | DEER POINT | 41,348 | 88 km |
| 2021 | CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE | 37,393 | 25 km |
| 2001 | VIRGINIA L | 35,780 | 57 km |
| 2001 | ST MARYS | 34,914 | 48 km |
| 1985 | BARKER MT | 32,839 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Grand Coulee has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.7") and July the driest (0.5").