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Weather & Climate in Rainier, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rainier experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 240 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 386 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 53.2°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 240 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 386 ft (118 m) |
| Area | 5.0 sq mi (12.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 456/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.0714°N, 122.9414°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Cowlitz County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Washington Regional (KLS) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,081 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 | 121 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 118 km | 40 km |
| Mar 25, 1993 | 4 km E of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M5.6 | 118 km | 20 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 129 km | 40 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 115 km | 52 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington | M4.1 | 118 km | 12 km |
| Aug 16, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington | M4.0 | 131 km | -1 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 150 km | 44 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2004 | 17 km W of Packwood, Washington | M3.9 | 101 km | -1 km |
| Sep 10, 1994 | 2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington | M3.9 | 145 km | 17 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 51 km | 17 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 59 km | -1 km |
| Jan 3, 2018 | 37 km SSE of Morton, Washington | M3.9 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon | M3.8 | 105 km | 24 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 40 km | 14 km |
| Jun 12, 2021 | 3 km WSW of Skokomish, Washington | M3.8 | 140 km | 44 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
63 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 303 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.7 mi | 6 |
| Oct 14, 2016 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | EF2 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1965 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2015 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | EF1 | 7 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2013 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF1 | 48 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1989 | EF1 | 30 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1985 | EF1 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1984 | EF1 | 22 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1978 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1975 | EF1 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1967 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 2024 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1980 | WASHINGTON | Explosion | 250.0 m | 61 | 60 km |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 140 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 140 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 8 | 124 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: St. Helens (60 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 60 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 70 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 88 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 113 km |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 124 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 126 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 179 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAGLE CREEK (48,816 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | EAGLE CREEK | 48,816 | 92 km |
| 2020 | BIG HOLLOW | 24,243 | 68 km |
| 2022 | SIOUXON | 2,551 | 66 km |
| 2023 | CAMP CREEK | 2,056 | 96 km |
| 2022 | NAKIA CREEK | 1,737 | 64 km |
| 2020 | DOWTY RD | 1,424 | 92 km |
| 1991 | FALLS | 1,389 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 8.5 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 6.6 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 5.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 8.7 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 9.1 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Rainier has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 40°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (9.1") and July the driest (1.1").