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. 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 18 / among the cleanest air in the country. 93% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,862 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.7°F
10% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Geography

Elevation1,862 ft (568 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density879/sq mi
Coordinates47.1231°N, 118.3754°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyAdams County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.8"
66% below US avg
Snowfall 15.7"
Wettest Month (Dec) 1.80"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.32"

Air Quality

AQI Median18.0
RatingGood
Good Days %93.4%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score23.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability43.9 / 100
Community Resilience1.7 / 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) 1.6 in
February 34°F (1°C) 1.1 in
March 40°F (5°C) 1.3 in
April 47°F (8°C) 1.0 in
May 55°F (13°C) 1.2 in
June 62°F (16°C) 0.9 in
July 70°F (21°C) 0.4 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 0.3 in Driest
September 61°F (16°C) 0.4 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.1 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 12.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.8") and August the driest (0.3").

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