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Weather & Climate in La Center, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 234 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 52.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.4 inches of snow annually. 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 138 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 234 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 138 ft (42 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,477/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8605°N, 122.6757°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Clark County County |
| Nearest Airport | Portland International (PDX) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,029 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 | 143 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 148 km | 40 km |
| Mar 25, 1993 | 4 km E of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M5.6 | 92 km | 20 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 59 km | 4 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 137 km | 52 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington | M4.1 | 127 km | 12 km |
| Aug 16, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington | M4.0 | 129 km | -1 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 96 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2004 | 17 km W of Packwood, Washington | M3.9 | 104 km | -1 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 26 km | 17 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 53 km | -1 km |
| Jan 3, 2018 | 37 km SSE of Morton, Washington | M3.9 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon | M3.8 | 80 km | 24 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 8 km | 14 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 52 km | -2 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington | M3.7 | 56 km | 14 km |
| Jul 13, 1995 | 13 km ENE of Ashford, Washington | M3.7 | 123 km | 7 km |
| Jun 8, 1993 | 5 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M3.7 | 93 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 302 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 29 km | 8.7 mi | 6 |
| Oct 14, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | EF2 | 68 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1965 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2015 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | EF1 | 37 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2013 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF1 | 20 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1989 | EF1 | 2 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1985 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1984 | EF1 | 9 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1978 | EF1 | 18 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF1 | 62 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 28, 2024 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | EF0 | 2 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2022 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.0 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 | 54 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 8 | 145 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: West Crater (46 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 46 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 54 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 67 km |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 94 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 99 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 131 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 149 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 175 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 187 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIVERSIDE (138,190 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | RIVERSIDE | 138,190 | 89 km |
| 2017 | EAGLE CREEK | 48,816 | 63 km |
| 2020 | BIG HOLLOW | 24,243 | 47 km |
| 2012 | CASCADE CREEK | 20,655 | 93 km |
| 2011 | DOLLAR LAKE | 6,069 | 90 km |
| 2014 | 36 PIT | 5,838 | 82 km |
| 2008 | GNARL RIDGE | 3,502 | 97 km |
| 2022 | SIOUXON | 2,551 | 44 km |
| 2012 | HIGHWAY 141 | 2,080 | 91 km |
| 2023 | CAMP CREEK | 2,056 | 65 km |
| 2022 | NAKIA CREEK | 1,737 | 34 km |
| 2020 | DOWTY RD | 1,424 | 62 km |
| 1991 | FALLS | 1,389 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 9.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 7.0 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 6.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.7 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 8.9 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 9.6 in | Wettest |
La Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 39°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (9.6") and July the driest (1.0").