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Weather & Climate in Rainier, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rainier experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 237 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 50.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.9 inches of snow annually. 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 443 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 237 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 443 ft (135 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,436/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8917°N, 122.6865°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Thurston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Olympia Regional (OLM) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 19.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,335 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 | 29 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 62 km | 40 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington | M5.4 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 69 km | 40 km |
| Jan 29, 1995 | 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington | M5.0 | 60 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 79 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 97 km | 51 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 100 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 120 km | 29 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 134 km | -1 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 22 km | 52 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington | M4.1 | 57 km | 12 km |
| Feb 23, 2017 | 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.1 | 71 km | 15 km |
| Aug 16, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington | M4.0 | 96 km | -1 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 68 km | 44 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 145 km | 58 km |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington | M3.9 | 105 km | 16 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington | M3.9 | 79 km | 1 km |
| Sep 10, 1994 | 2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington | M3.9 | 64 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
31 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 12, 1969 | EF3 | 71 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2018 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1965 | EF2 | 27 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 18, 2015 | EF1 | 49 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | EF1 | 87 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2013 | EF1 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2009 | EF1 | 53 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2001 | EF1 | 50 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1985 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1978 | EF1 | 36 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1971 | EF1 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1962 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 28, 2024 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2011 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 25, 2010 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 2006 | EF0 | 10 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
6 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 | 86 km |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 48 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 138 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 47 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 8 | 31 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 132 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Rainier (71 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 71 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 86 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 119 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 122 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 126 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 180 km |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 185 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORSE PEAK (51,017 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | NORSE PEAK | 51,017 | 98 km |
| 2022 | GOAT ROCKS | 6,658 | 91 km |
| 2018 | MAPLE | 3,547 | 84 km |
| 2011 | BIG HUMP | 1,400 | 95 km |
| 1985 | BEAVER | 1,107 | 88 km |
| 2006 | BEAR GULCH II | 1,037 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 7.6 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 7.9 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 8.0 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Rainier has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 39°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (8.0") and July the driest (0.9").