Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Waterville, WA

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

Waterville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°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 11.3 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 2,629 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,629 ft (801 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density1,555/sq mi
Coordinates47.6480°N, 120.0707°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyChelan County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.3"
70% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.36"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score90.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability48.6 / 100
Community Resilience70.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

387 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 M5.4 136 km 4 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 81 km 10 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 148 km 29 km
Jun 18, 1994 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington M4.3 90 km -1 km
Jun 27, 2013 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington M4.3 50 km 8 km
Feb 18, 2015 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington M4.2 68 km 4 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 107 km 9 km
Aug 8, 2023 9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington M3.9 128 km 16 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 45 km 11 km
Sep 12, 2015 3 km NE of North Bend, Washington M3.9 127 km 19 km
Mar 29, 2010 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington M3.8 98 km 1 km
Jan 1, 1997 14 km NNE of Selah, Washington M3.7 101 km 18 km
Jul 4, 1997 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington M3.7 8 km 7 km
Apr 6, 2025 12 km E of Greenwater, Washington M3.7 119 km 9 km
Mar 8, 1990 2 km WSW of Swede Heaven, Washington M3.6 144 km 3 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 82 km 7 km
Jun 20, 2003 2 km NNW of Ames Lake, Washington M3.5 144 km 20 km
Jan 20, 2025 9 km NE of Snoqualmie, Washington M3.5 126 km 17 km
Mar 6, 2005 8 km ENE of Lake Roesiger, Washington M3.5 138 km 13 km
Jun 29, 2005 0 km SE of Gleed, Washington M3.5 118 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 73 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 100 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 100 km 5.0 mi 0
May 30, 1987 EF1 60 km 1.0 mi 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF1 86 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 2024 EF0 64 km 0.4 mi 0
Jul 10, 2023 EF0 99 km 0.9 mi 0
May 26, 2023 EF0 72 km 0.4 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 52 km 0.2 mi 0
May 19, 2010 EF0 86 km 0.2 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF0 29 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 26, 1997 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 4, 1992 EF0 2 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 1, 1979 EF0 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 129 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (93 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 93 km
Rainier Stratovolcano 4,392 m (14,409 ft) 1450 155 km
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 180 km
Adams Stratovolcano 3,742 m (12,277 ft) 950 193 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARLTON COMPLEX (276,249 acres, 2014).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2014 CARLTON COMPLEX 276,249 67 km
2020 PEARL HILL 217,720 38 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 75 km
2015 LIMEBELT 137,098 100 km
1994 TYEE CREEK 123,618 29 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 76 km
2013 COLOCKUM TARPS 79,279 52 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 75 km
2015 WOLVERINE 66,329 69 km
2018 BOYLSTON 66,292 89 km
2012 TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX 65,887 53 km
2015 BLACK CANYON 61,379 37 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 88 km
2006 TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) 59,712 99 km
2021 CEDAR CREEK 58,591 99 km
2001 REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK) 54,456 64 km
2018 CRESCENT MOUNTAIN 53,258 87 km
2018 COUGAR CREEK 42,681 36 km
2002 DEER POINT 41,348 41 km
2017 JOLLY MOUNTAIN 38,159 76 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-4°C) 2.1 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.1 in
April 45°F (7°C) 0.8 in
May 53°F (12°C) 0.9 in
June 60°F (16°C) 0.9 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.5 in Warmest, Driest
August 67°F (19°C) 0.6 in
September 58°F (14°C) 0.6 in
October 46°F (8°C) 0.8 in
November 33°F (0°C) 2.0 in
December 24°F (-4°C) 2.4 in Wettest

Waterville has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 24°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Waterville, WA →