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Weather & Climate in Orient, WA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Orient experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 269 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 20.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.6 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 1,445 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,445 ft (440 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density160/sq mi
Coordinates48.8638°N, 118.2059°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyFerry County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
91 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.3"
47% below US avg
Snowfall 46.6"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.60"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability91.2 / 100
Community Resilience11.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

112 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 136 km 10 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 86 km 9 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 144 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 144 km 10 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 84 km 1 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 35 km 5 km
Jan 26, 1992 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.7 106 km 10 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 135 km 7 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 142 km 10 km
Jul 19, 2025 34 km W of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.4 145 km 7 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 143 km 0 km
Aug 20, 1990 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada M3.3 98 km -1 km
Oct 27, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.3 84 km 7 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 139 km 13 km
Apr 20, 2025 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 96 km 15 km
Jul 31, 2001 2 km WNW of Town and Country, Washington M3.2 137 km 0 km
Mar 3, 1998 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.2 33 km 5 km
Apr 13, 2025 7 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 96 km 15 km
Feb 15, 2020 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada M3.2 117 km 10 km
May 15, 2025 9 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.1 96 km 15 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 30 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 96 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 96 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 32 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 32 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 45 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 25, 2008 EF0 41 km 0.1 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 — 33 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 117 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 33 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 33 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 118 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 33 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 108 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 33 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 33 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH STAR (218,547 acres, 2015).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 74 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 94 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 91 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 57 km
2015 STICKPIN 54,119 15 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 93 km
1985 BARKER MT 32,839 82 km
2021 WALKER CREEK 26,165 64 km
2014 DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX 25,988 75 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 89 km
1988 WHITE MOUNTAIN 21,855 41 km
1996 TIMBERLINE COMPLEX 17,009 99 km
2023 EAGLE BLUFF 16,499 99 km
2007 TUNK GRADE 15,007 94 km
2015 RENNER 13,975 12 km
2020 KEWA FIELD 11,811 77 km
2000 ROCKY HULL 9,927 84 km
1994 COPPER BUTTE 9,068 26 km
2015 GRAVES MOUNTAIN 8,559 28 km
1988 S.17MILE1 8,089 55 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 2.2 in
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.6 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.6 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.7 in
May 51°F (10°C) 2.2 in
June 58°F (14°C) 2.4 in
July 68°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 64°F (18°C) 1.4 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.2 in Driest
October 43°F (6°C) 1.3 in
November 32°F (0°C) 2.4 in
December 24°F (-5°C) 2.6 in Coldest, Wettest

Orient has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 24°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.6") and September the driest (1.2").

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