Weather & Climate in Ilwaco, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ilwaco experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 78.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 16 / among the cleanest air in the country. 100% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 104 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 49.8°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 104 ft (32 m) |
| Area | 2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 692/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.3127°N, 124.0267°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Pacific County County |
| Nearest Airport | Astoria Regional (AST) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 16.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 99.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Very High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
917 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.
| Feb 28, 2001 | 7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington | M6.8 | 136 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 95 km | 40 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 103 km | 40 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 134 km | 52 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 139 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 139 km | 44 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 125 km | 17 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 123 km | 14 km |
| Jun 12, 2021 | 3 km WSW of Skokomish, Washington | M3.8 | 128 km | 44 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington | M3.7 | 126 km | 14 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 141 km | -2 km |
| Jul 31, 2016 | 12 km NNE of Aberdeen Gardens, Washington | M3.7 | 98 km | 35 km |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 3 km ENE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Aug 5, 2006 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Jul 31, 2006 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Jul 25, 2006 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 142 km | -1 km |
| Mar 30, 2009 | 33 km NW of Hoodsport, Washington | M3.6 | 149 km | 44 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 14, 2016 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1965 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | EF1 | 86 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1985 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1975 | EF1 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1967 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 2024 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 28, 2024 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 2021 | EF0 | 2 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2011 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 5, 1998 | EF0 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1997 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1997 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1996 | EF0 | 29 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1994 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 13, 1994 | EF0 | 18 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1991 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 1990 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1980 | WASHINGTON | Explosion | 250.0 m | 61 | 143 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | 8 | 143 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: St. Helens (143 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 143 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 158 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 175 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 183 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 195 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 12.0 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 7.8 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 8.7 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 6.8 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 1.6 in | Warmest |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 8.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 11.4 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 12.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Ilwaco has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 42°F in December to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 78.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (12.2") and July the driest (1.0").