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Weather & Climate in Port Townsend, WA

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

Port Townsend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 274 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 19.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 186 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation186 ft (57 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²)
Population Density1,483/sq mi
Coordinates48.1218°N, 122.7879°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyIsland County County
Nearest AirportJefferson County International (TWD)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.1"
50% below US avg
Snowfall 0.6"
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.82"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.94"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score78.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability36.8 / 100
Community Resilience80.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Very Low
Volcano Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

672 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.

Feb 28, 2001 7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington M6.8 108 km 52 km
Jul 3, 1999 8 km N of Satsop, Washington M5.8 127 km 40 km
May 3, 1996 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington M5.4 79 km 4 km
Jan 29, 1995 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington M5.0 88 km 15 km
Jun 10, 2001 18 km N of Satsop, Washington M5.0 119 km 40 km
Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 93 km 12 km
Jun 23, 1997 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington M4.9 60 km 13 km
Apr 25, 2003 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington M4.8 61 km 51 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 40 km 62 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 64 km 29 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 54 km 16 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 138 km 3 km
Jun 18, 1994 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington M4.3 126 km -1 km
Jul 22, 2001 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington M4.3 115 km 52 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 91 km 0 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 48 km 23 km
Feb 23, 2017 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington M4.1 74 km 15 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 91 km 1 km
Jun 15, 1994 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington M4.0 84 km 44 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 90 km 3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Dec 12, 1969 EF3 75 km 3.8 mi 0
Dec 18, 2018 EF2 69 km 1.4 mi 0
May 13, 1986 EF2 56 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 24, 1970 EF2 44 km 0.3 mi 0
Oct 18, 2019 EF1 96 km 0.7 mi 0
Jan 18, 2015 EF1 89 km 4.1 mi 0
May 18, 2005 EF1 41 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1971 EF1 87 km 0.5 mi 0
Oct 26, 1971 EF1 67 km 3.0 mi 0
Sep 28, 1962 EF1 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 16, 2006 EF0 84 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 5, 2004 EF0 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 2001 EF0 61 km — 0
Aug 24, 1997 EF0 56 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 1996 EF0 94 km 0.4 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF0 57 km 0.8 mi 0
Aug 18, 1964 EF0 86 km 5.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1894 PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA Meteorological 3.0 m 2 96 km
1891 WASHINGTON Eruption + Earthquake 2.4 m — 55 km
1949 PUGET SOUND, WA Meteorological 2.4 m — 93 km
1949 PUGET SOUND, WA Eruption + Earthquake — 8 107 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological — — 33 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (102 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 102 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 124 km
Rainier Stratovolcano 4,392 m (14,409 ft) 1450 161 km
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 193 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DELABARRE (4,176 acres, 2023).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2023 DELABARRE 4,176 63 km
2018 MAPLE 3,547 66 km
2015 PARADISE 2,818 89 km
2016 HAYES TWO 2,679 57 km
2011 BIG HUMP 1,400 53 km
1985 BEAVER 1,107 77 km
2006 BEAR GULCH II 1,037 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (6°C) 3.3 in
February 43°F (6°C) 2.5 in
March 45°F (7°C) 2.4 in
April 48°F (9°C) 1.9 in
May 53°F (12°C) 1.7 in
June 57°F (14°C) 1.4 in
July 63°F (17°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 61°F (16°C) 0.9 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.2 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.1 in
November 44°F (7°C) 3.7 in
December 41°F (5°C) 3.8 in Coldest, Wettest

Port Townsend has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 41°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.8") and July the driest (0.9").

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