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Weather & Climate in Methow, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Methow experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 200 sunny days per year. 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 1,155 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,155 ft (352 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 134/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1311°N, 120.0052°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 71 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
332 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 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington | M4.6 | 27 km | 10 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 110 km | -1 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2015 | 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington | M4.2 | 113 km | 4 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 76 km | 9 km |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.9 | 144 km | 16 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 132 km | 1 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 16 km | 11 km |
| Sep 12, 2015 | 3 km NE of North Bend, Washington | M3.9 | 147 km | 19 km |
| Mar 29, 2010 | 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington | M3.8 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 1997 | 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington | M3.7 | 46 km | 7 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 29 km | 7 km |
| Mar 8, 1990 | 2 km WSW of Swede Heaven, Washington | M3.6 | 131 km | 3 km |
| Jan 20, 2025 | 9 km NE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.5 | 143 km | 17 km |
| Mar 6, 2005 | 8 km ENE of Lake Roesiger, Washington | M3.5 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Dec 24, 2000 | 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington | M3.5 | 47 km | 7 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km S of Sultan, Washington | M3.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 7, 1993 | 17 km SW of Skykomish, Washington | M3.4 | 127 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 76 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 76 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1987 | EF1 | 17 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2016 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2004 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1997 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1992 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
8 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 | — | 146 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 127 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 146 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 146 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 146 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 140 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 146 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 146 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (82 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 82 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 151 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 194 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 | 13 km |
| 2015 | NORTH STAR | 218,547 | 85 km |
| 2020 | PEARL HILL | 217,720 | 42 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 37 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 63 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 48 km |
| 1994 | TYEE CREEK | 123,618 | 45 km |
| 2017 | DIAMOND CREEK | 117,527 | 94 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (SPUR PEAK) | 115,123 | 79 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 61 km |
| 2003 | FAWN PEAK COMPLEX (FAREWELL) | 77,444 | 79 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 66 km |
| 2021 | CUB CREEK 2 | 74,601 | 61 km |
| 2015 | WOLVERINE | 66,329 | 48 km |
| 2015 | BLACK CANYON | 61,379 | 18 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 57 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 45 km |
| 2021 | CEDAR CREEK | 58,591 | 52 km |
| 2001 | REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK) | 54,456 | 34 km |
| 2018 | CRESCENT MOUNTAIN | 53,258 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Methow has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.0") and July the driest (0.7").