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Weather & Climate in Tacoma, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tacoma experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 245 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 41.5 inches. The area receives 13.3 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 387 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 245 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 387 ft (118 m) |
| Area | 62.4 sq mi (161.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,434/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.2522°N, 122.4598°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Pierce County County |
| Nearest Airport | Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,415 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 | 23 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 78 km | 40 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington | M5.4 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1995 | 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington | M5.0 | 17 km | 15 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 79 km | 40 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 39 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 75 km | 51 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 60 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 77 km | 29 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 25 km | 52 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 99 km | -1 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2015 | 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington | M4.2 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 146 km | 23 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 | 50 km | 15 km |
| Aug 16, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington | M4.0 | 99 km | -1 km |
| Jun 15, 1994 | 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.0 | 56 km | 44 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 106 km | 58 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 12, 1969 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2018 | EF2 | 31 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1965 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 18, 2015 | EF1 | 13 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2013 | EF1 | 20 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2009 | EF1 | 25 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2001 | EF1 | 23 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 3 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1978 | EF1 | 15 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1971 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1971 | EF1 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1962 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2011 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 25, 2010 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2006 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 2006 | EF0 | 37 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 | 119 km |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 4 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 114 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 8 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 8 | 15 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 90 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Rainier (69 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 69 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 119 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 138 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 139 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 155 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 155 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 176 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORSE PEAK (51,017 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | NORSE PEAK | 51,017 | 85 km |
| 2022 | BOLT CREEK | 15,211 | 97 km |
| 2022 | GOAT ROCKS | 6,658 | 97 km |
| 2023 | DELABARRE | 4,176 | 95 km |
| 2017 | AMERICAN | 3,794 | 94 km |
| 2018 | MAPLE | 3,547 | 63 km |
| 2016 | HAYES TWO | 2,679 | 93 km |
| 2022 | LOCH KATRINE | 2,163 | 75 km |
| 1988 | FALLS CREEK | 2,152 | 87 km |
| 2011 | BIG HUMP | 1,400 | 69 km |
| 1985 | BEAVER | 1,107 | 75 km |
| 2017 | SAWMILL CREEK | 1,056 | 78 km |
| 2006 | BEAR GULCH II | 1,037 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 6.0 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 6.4 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 6.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Tacoma has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 40°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.5") and July the driest (0.9").