Weather & Climate in Walla Walla, WA

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

Walla Walla experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°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 18.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24 / among the cleanest air in the country. 86% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 978 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	54.3°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	978 ft (298 m)
Area	14.1 sq mi (36.4 km²)
Population Density	2,400/sq mi
Coordinates	46.0670°N, 118.3370°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Walla Walla County County
Nearest Airport	Walla Walla Regional (ALW) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.7"

51% below US avg

Snowfall 6.5"

Wettest Month (Nov) 2.09"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	24.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	85.8%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	60.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	46.0 / 100
Community Resilience	54.9 / 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

129 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	9 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	9 km	11 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	100 km	0 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	122 km	10 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	81 km	2 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	94 km	20 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	43 km	20 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	68 km	17 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	95 km	0 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	117 km	22 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	81 km	1 km
May 27, 1997	15 km W of Othello, Washington	M3.3	117 km	2 km
May 1, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	80 km	2 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	8 km	8 km
Feb 28, 2004	10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington	M3.3	53 km	1 km
Apr 22, 1990	20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.3	120 km	21 km
Jun 19, 1990	11 km W of Othello, Washington	M3.3	114 km	2 km
Jun 12, 1995	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	81 km	1 km
Jun 16, 2019	11 km SW of Royal City, Washington	M3.3	137 km	2 km
Nov 17, 2013	13 km NNE of West Richland, Washington	M3.2	81 km	0 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968	EF2	82 km	9.6 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	63 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1958	EF2	46 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	31 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	41 km	1.6 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	38 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF1	72 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 1, 1978	EF1	83 km	2.3 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	23 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	11 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	66 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 2013	EF0	96 km	0.1 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	83 km	0.2 mi	0
May 23, 2004	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	56 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 9, 1995	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	1 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	81 km	0.1 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	42 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	73 km
2015	BUTTE CREEK	79,418	56 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	61 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	55 km
1986	JOSEPH/STARVATION	37,064	91 km
2000	UNNAMED	27,815	97 km
2021	ELBOW CREEK	23,103	62 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	38 km
2005	WALKER CANYON	20,764	47 km
2010	EUREKA	19,811	45 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	86 km
2023	HAT ROCK	17,264	54 km
1990	LOCUSTGROV	17,187	71 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	56 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	59 km
1986	JOSEPH CANYON 1	14,398	95 km
2018	LAKE WALLULA	11,972	55 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	54 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	1.8 in
February	39°F (4°C)	1.4 in
March	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
April	52°F (11°C)	1.3 in
May	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.9 in
July	76°F (25°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	72°F (22°C)	0.6 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.7 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.2 in
November	42°F (5°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
December	35°F (1°C)	1.8 in	Coldest

Walla Walla has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 35°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.5").

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