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Weather & Climate in Wheeler, WA

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

Wheeler experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°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 7.8 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 1,264 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,264 ft (385 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,014/sq mi
Coordinates47.1349°N, 119.1760°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyGrant County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.8"
79% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 1.30"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score76.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability64.9 / 100
Community Resilience7.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

250 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 147 km 10 km
Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 143 km 9 km
Jun 27, 2013 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington M4.3 137 km 8 km
Feb 18, 2015 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington M4.2 120 km 4 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 131 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 143 km 11 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 147 km 4 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 145 km 0 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 147 km 10 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 112 km 11 km
Nov 18, 1997 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington M3.9 148 km 15 km
Mar 29, 2010 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington M3.8 136 km 1 km
Jul 4, 1997 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington M3.7 92 km 7 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 111 km 20 km
Jan 1, 1997 14 km NNE of Selah, Washington M3.7 105 km 18 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 81 km 2 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 148 km 7 km
Oct 26, 1992 12 km N of Naches, Washington M3.5 121 km -1 km
Dec 24, 2000 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington M3.5 106 km 7 km
Jun 29, 2005 0 km SE of Gleed, Washington M3.5 121 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 84 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 63 km 0.1 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 66 km 12.0 mi 0
Aug 10, 1985 EF1 21 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 69 km 3.0 mi 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF1 68 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 53 km 2.3 mi 0
May 1, 2024 EF0 67 km 0.4 mi 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 91 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 10, 2023 EF0 75 km 0.9 mi 0
May 26, 2023 EF0 20 km 0.4 mi 0
Mar 31, 2020 EF0 90 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 74 km 0.2 mi 0
May 19, 2010 EF0 6 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 80 km 2.4 mi 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 79 km 1.7 mi 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 79 km 2.4 mi 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 80 km 1.3 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF0 90 km 0.3 mi 0
May 11, 2003 EF0 16 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 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 — 98 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 114 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 114 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (181 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 181 km
Rainier Stratovolcano 4,392 m (14,409 ft) 1450 199 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PEARL HILL (217,720 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 PEARL HILL 217,720 85 km
2016 RANGE 12 167,604 89 km
2000 24 COMMAND 162,300 83 km
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 70 km
1984 HANFORD 122,914 84 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 98 km
2013 COLOCKUM TARPS 79,279 73 km
2007 WAUTOMA 77,956 83 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 90 km
1996 COLD CREEK 72,859 84 km
2018 BOYLSTON 66,292 78 km
2009 DRY CREEK COMPLEX 49,843 94 km
2019 COLD CREEK 43,756 82 km
2003 UMTANUM RIDGE 34,351 84 km
2017 SILVER DOLLAR 30,789 78 km
2017 SUTHERLAND CANYON 29,492 59 km
2022 VANTAGE HIGHWAY 29,299 70 km
2017 400 27,218 80 km
2012 APACHE PASS 25,101 65 km
2020 TAYLOR POND 22,591 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
February 36°F (2°C) 0.7 in
March 44°F (7°C) 0.7 in
April 51°F (10°C) 0.6 in
May 59°F (15°C) 0.6 in
June 65°F (19°C) 0.5 in
July 73°F (23°C) 0.2 in Warmest, Driest
August 71°F (22°C) 0.3 in
September 62°F (17°C) 0.3 in
October 51°F (10°C) 0.5 in
November 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 1.3 in Coldest, Wettest

Wheeler has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 30°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 7.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.3") and July the driest (0.2").

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