Weather & Climate in Ritzville, WA

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

Ritzville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 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 12.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 1,862 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.7°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,862 ft (568 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density	879/sq mi
Coordinates	47.1231°N, 118.3754°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Adams County County
Nearest Airport	Grant County International (MWH) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.8"

66% below US avg

Snowfall 15.7"

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.77"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	23.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	43.9 / 100
Community Resilience	1.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

163 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991	7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.3	126 km	9 km
Sep 1, 2015	15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington	M4.2	140 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	126 km	11 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	97 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	96 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	130 km	10 km
Jul 4, 1997	8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington	M3.7	141 km	7 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	139 km	20 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	104 km	2 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	97 km	10 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	36 km	0 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	51 km	17 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	121 km	22 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	104 km	1 km
Jan 24, 1992	4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington	M3.4	145 km	6 km
Dec 22, 1990	9 km NW of Mattawa, Washington	M3.4	128 km	3 km
Sep 13, 2012	10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington	M3.4	127 km	9 km
Jul 24, 2017	Washington	M3.3	140 km	2 km
Jun 12, 1995	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	105 km	1 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	126 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972	EF3	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 5, 1972	EF2	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	81 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	82 km	1.0 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	97 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	83 km	0.5 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	75 km	3.4 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	61 km	12.0 mi	0
Aug 10, 1985	EF1	52 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	74 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF1	81 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1978	EF1	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1978	EF1	55 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	86 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2024	EF0	60 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 2023	EF0	76 km	0.9 mi	0
May 26, 2023	EF0	81 km	0.4 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	97 km	2.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1949	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	78 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	80 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	88 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITNEY (127,930 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	WHITNEY	127,930	57 km
2019	WILLIAMS FLATS	44,680	95 km
2012	APACHE PASS	25,101	50 km
2005	WALKER CANYON	20,764	75 km
2007	OVERLOOK	20,363	93 km
2010	EUREKA	19,811	76 km
1996	LINCOLN	19,376	56 km
2008	SWANSON LAKE	18,941	65 km
2016	BLACK ROCK ROAD	17,398	49 km
2017	EAST SADDLE	17,318	83 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	68 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	59 km
1987	COULEE CITY	12,787	84 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,401	88 km
1993	HIGHWAY 24	11,414	90 km
2018	WAHLUKE SLOPE	11,203	91 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	94 km
2003	RATTLESNAKE CANYON	10,655	84 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	97 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	70 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.3 in
February	34°F (1°C)	1.1 in
March	41°F (5°C)	1.2 in
April	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in
May	56°F (13°C)	0.9 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.7 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.5 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in	Driest
September	61°F (16°C)	0.6 in
October	49°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	37°F (3°C)	1.6 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	1.8 in	Coldest, Wettest

Ritzville has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.8") and August the driest (0.4").

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