Weather & Climate in Pateros, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pateros 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. Annual precipitation totals 10.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 791 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) |
Geography
| Elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,271/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.0531°N, 119.9003°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Okanogan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 89.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
307 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 | 35 km | 10 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 113 km | -1 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 64 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2015 | 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington | M4.2 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 71 km | 9 km |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.9 | 148 km | 16 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 4 km | 11 km |
| Mar 29, 2010 | 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington | M3.8 | 141 km | 1 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1997 | 14 km NNE of Selah, Washington | M3.7 | 148 km | 18 km |
| Jul 4, 1997 | 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington | M3.7 | 39 km | 7 km |
| Mar 8, 1990 | 2 km WSW of Swede Heaven, Washington | M3.6 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 36 km | 7 km |
| Jan 20, 2025 | 9 km NE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.5 | 147 km | 17 km |
| Dec 24, 2000 | 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington | M3.5 | 44 km | 7 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km S of Sultan, Washington | M3.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2005 | 8 km ENE of Lake Roesiger, Washington | M3.5 | 144 km | 13 km |
| Oct 26, 1992 | 12 km N of Naches, Washington | M3.5 | 148 km | -1 km |
| Jul 6, 1991 | 7 km SE of Kittitas, Washington | M3.4 | 128 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1987 | EF1 | 14 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2016 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2004 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1997 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1992 | EF0 | 49 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 | - | 142 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | - | 118 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | - | 142 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | - | 142 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | - | 142 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | - | 142 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | - | 131 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 142 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 142 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (90 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 90 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 163 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 193 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 | 22 km |
| 2015 | NORTH STAR | 218,547 | 82 km |
| 2020 | PEARL HILL | 217,720 | 31 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 33 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 63 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 53 km |
| 1994 | TYEE CREEK | 123,618 | 44 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (SPUR PEAK) | 115,123 | 88 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 52 km |
| 2013 | COLOCKUM TARPS | 79,279 | 99 km |
| 2003 | FAWN PEAK COMPLEX (FAREWELL) | 77,444 | 89 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 56 km |
| 2021 | CUB CREEK 2 | 74,601 | 71 km |
| 2015 | WOLVERINE | 66,329 | 57 km |
| 2012 | TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX | 65,887 | 97 km |
| 2015 | BLACK CANYON | 61,379 | 14 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 52 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 54 km |
| 2021 | CEDAR CREEK | 58,591 | 64 km |
| 2001 | REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK) | 54,456 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Pateros has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.0") and August the driest (0.2").