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Weather & Climate in Whatcom, BC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whatcom experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 225 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 236 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 225 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Area | 134.6 sq mi (348.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 76/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.0414°N, 122.2399°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
414 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 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 23 km | 12 km |
| Feb 21, 2025 | 28 km W of Squamish, Canada | M4.8 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 142 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 131 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 63 km | 16 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada | M4.4 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 24 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 1991 | 31 km E of Squamish, Canada | M4.3 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 90 km | 23 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 25 km | 3 km |
| Apr 3, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.0 | 23 km | 1 km |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada | M4.0 | 90 km | 52 km |
| Dec 27, 2012 | 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada | M4.0 | 86 km | 54 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington | M4.0 | 99 km | 58 km |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 14 km SW of Blyn, Washington | M3.9 | 141 km | 42 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 3 km SW of Clear Lake, Washington | M3.8 | 66 km | 0 km |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 7 km WNW of Lofall, Washington | M3.7 | 139 km | 23 km |
| Dec 11, 1999 | 10 km NNE of Oak Bay, Canada | M3.7 | 93 km | 49 km |
| Jun 16, 2017 | 2 km NNW of Quilcene, Washington | M3.7 | 142 km | 55 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2007 | CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK | Meteorological | 38.0 m | — | 50 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 148 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 110 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (43 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 43 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 105 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 113 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 133 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 141 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SOURDOUGH (7,517 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | SOURDOUGH | 7,517 | 86 km |
| 2015 | GOODELL | 6,624 | 84 km |
| 2022 | COPPER LAKE | 3,825 | 61 km |
| 2022 | BRUSH CREEK 2 | 3,186 | 64 km |
| 2022 | SILESIA | 2,737 | 54 km |
| 2022 | MCALLISTER CREEK | 2,581 | 96 km |
| 2022 | THREE FOOLS | 2,451 | 98 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE CHILL | 2,242 | 57 km |
| 2003 | BIGBEAVER | 1,807 | 86 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,174 | 83 km |
| 2004 | FREEZEOUT | 1,155 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 8.0 in | |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 5.8 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 2.3 in | Driest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 6.3 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 9.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 8.4 in | Coldest |
Whatcom has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 37°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (9.2") and August the driest (2.3").