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Weather & Climate in Waitsburg, WA

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

Waitsburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 1,253 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,253 ft (382 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density810/sq mi
Coordinates46.2698°N, 118.1509°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyWalla Walla County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.8"
51% below US avg
Snowfall 15.8"
Wettest Month (Nov) 2.76"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability46.0 / 100
Community Resilience54.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

120 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 34 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 33 km 11 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 120 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 101 km 10 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 108 km 20 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 87 km 2 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 69 km 20 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 80 km 0 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 87 km 1 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 45 km 17 km
Nov 6, 1997 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.4 123 km 22 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 34 km 8 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 86 km 2 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 72 km 1 km
May 11, 2001 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington M3.3 140 km 11 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 87 km 1 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 113 km 2 km
Apr 22, 1990 20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.3 125 km 21 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 110 km 2 km
Jun 16, 2019 11 km SW of Royal City, Washington M3.3 136 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 95 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 80 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 37 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 64 km 0.3 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 55 km 2.9 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 67 km 1.6 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 13 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 71 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 72 km 2.3 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 49 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 34 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 31, 2020 EF0 87 km 0.1 mi 0
May 22, 2016 EF0 79 km 0.2 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 91 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 13, 2002 EF0 82 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF0 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 9, 1995 EF0 99 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 66 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 26 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 29 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 57 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 51 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 41 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 41 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 87 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 62 km
1996 UNNAMED 21,130 59 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 37 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 36 km
2023 HAT ROCK 17,264 75 km
1990 LOCUSTGROV 17,187 89 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 46 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 42 km
1986 JOSEPH CANYON 1 14,398 85 km
2018 LAKE WALLULA 11,972 76 km
2010 HUBBARD 10,824 30 km
2016 SNAKE RIVER FIRE 10,349 72 km
2016 KAHLOTUS 9,386 56 km
2016 FLETCHER ROAD 9,380 29 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 2.5 in
February 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
March 43°F (6°C) 2.1 in
April 49°F (9°C) 1.6 in
May 55°F (13°C) 1.6 in
June 62°F (17°C) 1.1 in
July 71°F (22°C) 0.6 in Warmest, Driest
August 69°F (21°C) 0.8 in
September 61°F (16°C) 0.9 in
October 50°F (10°C) 1.6 in
November 40°F (4°C) 2.8 in Wettest
December 33°F (1°C) 2.6 in Coldest

Waitsburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 33°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.6").

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