Weather & Climate in Powell River, BC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Powell River experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 118 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Area | 11.2 sq mi (28.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,249/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.8328°N, 124.5237°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
82 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 2015 | 19 km E of Tofino, Canada | M4.8 | 110 km | 25 km |
| Aug 1, 2000 | 40 km NNW of Tofino, Canada | M4.6 | 122 km | 41 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 2001 | 9 km NNW of Ucluelet, Canada | M4.3 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Feb 22, 1996 | 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada | M4.1 | 45 km | 2 km |
| May 8, 1999 | 17 km NW of Tofino, Canada | M4.0 | 129 km | 33 km |
| Nov 20, 1994 | 26 km N of Ucluelet, Canada | M3.9 | 103 km | 38 km |
| Jun 19, 2017 | 21 km SSW of Vernon, Canada | M3.9 | 142 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2001 | 35 km NE of Tofino, Canada | M3.9 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2017 | 103 km NE of Campbell River, Canada | M3.9 | 105 km | 8 km |
| Apr 7, 2001 | 36 km NNW of Neah Bay, Washington | M3.9 | 128 km | 32 km |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 9 km NNE of Ucluelet, Canada | M3.8 | 114 km | 33 km |
| Oct 4, 2024 | 22 km NNE of Ganges, Canada | M3.6 | 119 km | 61 km |
| Aug 17, 2011 | 37 km NNW of Tofino, Canada | M3.5 | 115 km | 45 km |
| Feb 15, 2015 | 30 km NNE of Sechelt, Canada | M3.4 | 68 km | 3 km |
| Nov 10, 2001 | 6 km SSE of Point Roberts, Washington | M3.4 | 147 km | 15 km |
| Jun 13, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M3.4 | 93 km | 4 km |
| Sep 30, 1996 | 3 km SSE of Tofino, Canada | M3.2 | 127 km | 30 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 9.0 m (30 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 29 km |
| 1958 | RIPPLE ROCK, BC | Earthquake + Landslide | 0.5 m | - | 62 km |
| 2020 | ELLIOT CREEK, BC | Meteorological | - | - | 127 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Cayley Volcanic Field (95 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 95 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 109 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 110 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 115 km |
| Bridge River Cones | Volcanic field | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Unknown | 134 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 5.7 in | |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
Powell River has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 39°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (6.5") and July the driest (1.4").