Weather & Climate in Sudden Valley, WA

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

Sudden Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.8 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 749 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	50.3°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	233 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	749 ft (228 m)
Area	3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
Population Density	1,627/sq mi
Coordinates	48.7231°N, 122.3441°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Island County County
Nearest Airport	Bellingham International (BLI) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.9"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 10.8"

Wettest Month (Nov) 7.13"

Driest Month (Jul) 1.73"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	78.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	36.8 / 100
Community Resilience	80.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

580 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	113 km	4 km
Jan 29, 1995	3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington	M5.0	149 km	15 km
Apr 14, 1990	4 km ENE of Deming, Washington	M5.0	19 km	12 km
Jun 23, 1997	2 km NE of Enetai, Washington	M4.9	126 km	13 km
Apr 25, 2003	26 km W of Brinnon, Washington	M4.8	135 km	51 km
Feb 21, 2025	28 km W of Squamish, Canada	M4.8	139 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2009	6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington	M4.7	106 km	62 km
Jul 12, 2019	2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington	M4.6	98 km	29 km
Mar 3, 2025	2025 Orcas Island, Washington	M4.5	36 km	16 km
Jun 24, 1997	19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada	M4.4	109 km	3 km
Jun 18, 1994	11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington	M4.3	146 km	-1 km
Feb 19, 1991	31 km E of Squamish, Canada	M4.3	112 km	5 km
Apr 2, 1990	2 km ENE of Deming, Washington	M4.3	17 km	0 km
Sep 21, 2002	9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington	M4.1	63 km	23 km
Feb 23, 2017	11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington	M4.1	147 km	15 km
Apr 3, 1990	3 km ENE of Deming, Washington	M4.0	18 km	1 km
Apr 14, 1990	2 km ESE of Deming, Washington	M4.0	16 km	3 km
Sep 26, 2024	12 km E of Saanichton, Canada	M4.0	68 km	52 km
Dec 27, 2012	12 km E of North Saanich, Canada	M4.0	67 km	54 km
Jul 1, 2009	4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington	M4.0	63 km	58 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 13, 1986	EF2	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 24, 1970	EF2	70 km	0.3 mi	0
May 18, 2005	EF1	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 26, 1971	EF1	89 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 2004	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 27, 2004	EF0	32 km	2.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 1997	EF0	91 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
2007	CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK	Meteorological	38.0 m	—	86 km
1891	WASHINGTON	Eruption + Earthquake	2.4 m	—	117 km
1820	CAMANO ISLAND, WA	Meteorological	—	—	74 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (39 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Baker	Stratovolcano(es)	3,285 m (10,778 ft)	1880	39 km
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	114 km
Garibaldi	Stratovolcano	2,678 m (8,786 ft)	-8060	134 km
Garibaldi Lake	Volcanic field	2,316 m (7,598 ft)	Unknown	143 km
Cayley Volcanic Field	Volcanic field	2,375 m (7,792 ft)	Unknown	169 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SOURDOUGH (7,517 acres, 2023).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2023	SOURDOUGH	7,517	87 km
2015	GOODELL	6,624	82 km
2022	SUIATTLE RIVER	4,400	86 km
2022	COPPER LAKE	3,825	72 km
2022	BRUSH CREEK 2	3,186	72 km
2003	MINERAL PARK	3,010	96 km
2022	SILESIA	2,737	66 km
2022	MCALLISTER CREEK	2,581	93 km
2022	BOULDER LAKE	2,347	83 km
2020	DOWNEY CREEK	2,324	99 km
2022	LITTLE CHILL	2,242	71 km
2003	BIGBEAVER	1,807	89 km
1998	UNNAMED	1,174	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	6.0 in
February	41°F (5°C)	4.5 in
March	43°F (6°C)	4.2 in
April	48°F (9°C)	3.7 in
May	53°F (12°C)	3.0 in
June	58°F (14°C)	2.5 in
July	64°F (18°C)	1.7 in	Warmest, Driest
August	63°F (17°C)	1.7 in
September	58°F (15°C)	2.4 in
October	50°F (10°C)	4.4 in
November	43°F (6°C)	7.1 in	Wettest
December	38°F (3°C)	6.5 in	Coldest

Sudden Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 38°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (7.1") and July the driest (1.7").

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