Weather & Climate in Terrace Heights, WA

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

Terrace Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 71°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 8.4 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 1,124 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	49.2°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,124 ft (343 m)
Area	3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density	901/sq mi
Coordinates	46.6001°N, 120.4360°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Yakima County County
Nearest Airport	Tri-Cities (PSC) 67 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.4"

78% below US avg

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.38"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	94.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.9 / 100
Community Resilience	13.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,111 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Feb 14, 2011	31 km S of Morton, Washington	M4.3	141 km	4 km
Jun 18, 1994	11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington	M4.3	130 km	-1 km
Jun 27, 2013	25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington	M4.3	137 km	8 km
Jun 17, 2010	30 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.2	60 km	3 km
Feb 18, 2015	15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington	M4.2	76 km	4 km
May 20, 1995	15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington	M4.1	119 km	12 km
Aug 16, 2004	16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington	M4.0	80 km	-1 km
Oct 9, 1998	20 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.0	49 km	2 km
Jun 25, 2004	17 km W of Packwood, Washington	M3.9	112 km	-1 km
Sep 10, 1994	2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington	M3.9	133 km	17 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.9	142 km	-1 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	51 km	15 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	105 km	0 km
Jan 3, 2018	37 km SSE of Morton, Washington	M3.9	130 km	10 km
Sep 12, 2015	3 km NE of North Bend, Washington	M3.9	143 km	19 km
Mar 29, 2010	10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington	M3.8	60 km	1 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	83 km	20 km
Jul 13, 1995	13 km ENE of Ashford, Washington	M3.7	113 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1997	14 km NNE of Selah, Washington	M3.7	20 km	18 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	92 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 30, 1957	EF2	5 km	1.0 mi	0
May 1, 2024	EF0	60 km	0.4 mi	0
May 26, 2023	EF0	98 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 13, 2014	EF0	58 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 7, 2008	EF0	12 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 2005	EF0	4 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	37 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	82 km	0.5 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF0	93 km	0.3 mi	0
May 15, 2000	EF0	22 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 1999	EF0	16 km	—	0
Aug 26, 1997	EF0	33 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

1 tsunami 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	141 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Adams (92 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	92 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	105 km
Indian Heaven	Shield(s)	1,806 m (5,925 ft)	-6250	130 km
St. Helens	Stratovolcano	2,549 m (8,363 ft)	2008	141 km
West Crater	Volcanic field	1,329 m (4,360 ft)	-5750	150 km
Hood	Stratovolcano	3,426 m (11,240 ft)	1866	168 km
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	176 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANGE 12 (167,604 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	RANGE 12	167,604	45 km
2000	24 COMMAND	162,300	68 km
1984	HANFORD	122,914	69 km
2021	SCHNEIDER SPRINGS	114,743	57 km
2000	MULE DRY	90,184	75 km
2013	COLOCKUM TARPS	79,279	68 km
2007	WAUTOMA	77,956	58 km
2020	EVANS CANYON	76,288	30 km
1996	COLD CREEK	72,859	31 km
2018	BOYLSTON	66,292	37 km
2012	TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	65,887	77 km
2023	NEWELL ROAD	61,833	84 km
2015	COUGAR CREEK	51,866	86 km
2024	BIG HORN	51,023	85 km
2017	NORSE PEAK	51,017	86 km
2009	DRY CREEK COMPLEX	49,843	40 km
2024	RETREAT	44,681	40 km
2019	COLD CREEK	43,756	62 km
2017	JOLLY MOUNTAIN	38,159	92 km
2015	HIGHWAY 8	35,296	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.2 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in
March	43°F (6°C)	0.7 in
April	50°F (10°C)	0.6 in
May	58°F (14°C)	0.5 in
June	65°F (18°C)	0.5 in
July	71°F (22°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.4 in
September	62°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	51°F (10°C)	0.5 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	1.4 in	Wettest

Terrace Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 30°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.2").

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