Weather & Climate in Rock Island, WA

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

Rock Island experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 279 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 7.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 651 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	51.2°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	651 ft (198 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	1,011/sq mi
Coordinates	47.3732°N, 120.1421°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Kittitas County County
Nearest Airport	Grant County International (MWH) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.8"

79% below US avg

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.85"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	40.2 / 100
Community Resilience	64.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

458 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.

May 3, 1996	8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington	M5.4	137 km	4 km
Jun 24, 1997	16 km WNW of Malott, Washington	M4.6	112 km	10 km
Jun 18, 1994	11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington	M4.3	89 km	-1 km
Jun 27, 2013	25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington	M4.3	65 km	8 km
Jun 17, 2010	30 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.2	148 km	3 km
Feb 18, 2015	15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington	M4.2	48 km	4 km
Sep 1, 2015	15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington	M4.2	134 km	9 km
May 20, 1995	15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington	M4.1	147 km	12 km
Aug 16, 2004	16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington	M4.0	127 km	-1 km
Oct 9, 1998	20 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.0	137 km	2 km
Aug 8, 2023	9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington	M3.9	125 km	16 km
Sep 10, 1994	2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington	M3.9	139 km	17 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	139 km	15 km
Apr 15, 1991	4 km SE of Pateros, Washington	M3.9	76 km	11 km
Sep 12, 2015	3 km NE of North Bend, Washington	M3.9	122 km	19 km
Mar 29, 2010	10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington	M3.8	74 km	1 km
Jan 1, 1997	14 km NNE of Selah, Washington	M3.7	70 km	18 km
Jul 4, 1997	8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington	M3.7	39 km	7 km
Jul 13, 1995	13 km ENE of Ashford, Washington	M3.7	145 km	7 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	126 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 30, 1957	EF2	90 km	1.0 mi	0
May 30, 1987	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 10, 1985	EF1	95 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1978	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 2024	EF0	34 km	0.4 mi	0
May 26, 2023	EF0	58 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	72 km	0.2 mi	0
May 19, 2010	EF0	78 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 7, 2008	EF0	97 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 2005	EF0	88 km	0.2 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF0	12 km	0.3 mi	0
May 11, 2003	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 1999	EF0	86 km	—	0
Jul 4, 1992	EF0	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF0	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 1, 1979	EF0	65 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

1 tsunami 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	—	143 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (110 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	110 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	135 km
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	165 km
Baker	Stratovolcano(es)	3,285 m (10,778 ft)	1880	199 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARLTON COMPLEX (276,249 acres, 2014).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2014	CARLTON COMPLEX	276,249	98 km
2020	PEARL HILL	217,720	63 km
2016	RANGE 12	167,604	100 km
1994	TYEE CREEK	123,618	52 km
2021	SCHNEIDER SPRINGS	114,743	94 km
2012	BARKER CANYON COMPLEX	85,906	100 km
2013	COLOCKUM TARPS	79,279	22 km
2020	EVANS CANYON	76,288	71 km
2018	GRASS VALLEY	76,074	97 km
1996	COLD CREEK	72,859	78 km
2015	WOLVERINE	66,329	92 km
2018	BOYLSTON	66,292	58 km
2012	TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	65,887	31 km
2015	BLACK CANYON	61,379	67 km
2001	REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK)	54,456	91 km
2024	RETREAT	44,681	96 km
2018	COUGAR CREEK	42,681	55 km
2002	DEER POINT	41,348	71 km
2017	JOLLY MOUNTAIN	38,159	63 km
2004	POT PEAK-SISI RIDGE COMPLEX	37,603	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	1.5 in
February	32°F (0°C)	1.1 in
March	40°F (5°C)	0.8 in
April	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in
May	56°F (13°C)	0.7 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
July	75°F (24°C)	0.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.5 in
September	60°F (16°C)	0.5 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.5 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	1.9 in	Coldest, Wettest

Rock Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.9") and July the driest (0.3").

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