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Weather & Climate in Winthrop, WA

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

Winthrop experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 274 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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 59.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 1,754 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.7°F
15% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,754 ft (535 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density421/sq mi
Coordinates48.4716°N, 120.1791°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOkanogan County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
96 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 59.4"
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability89.0 / 100
Community Resilience16.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

315 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 M5.4 149 km 4 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 25 km 10 km
Jun 18, 1994 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington M4.3 125 km -1 km
Jun 27, 2013 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington M4.3 81 km 8 km
Feb 18, 2015 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington M4.2 143 km 4 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 88 km 9 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 107 km 1 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 55 km 11 km
Jan 26, 1992 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.7 101 km 10 km
Jul 4, 1997 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington M3.7 85 km 7 km
Mar 8, 1990 2 km WSW of Swede Heaven, Washington M3.6 119 km 3 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 24 km 7 km
May 7, 2015 4 km WNW of Lake Cavanaugh, Washington M3.6 141 km 10 km
Jan 12, 1997 15 km N of Princeton, Canada M3.5 128 km 5 km
Dec 24, 2000 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington M3.5 81 km 7 km
Mar 6, 2005 8 km ENE of Lake Roesiger, Washington M3.5 132 km 13 km
May 3, 1996 8 km S of Sultan, Washington M3.5 144 km 5 km
May 3, 1996 8 km ENE of Duvall, Washington M3.4 149 km 7 km
Apr 21, 2008 12 km E of Verlot, Washington M3.4 114 km 0 km
Jan 24, 1992 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington M3.4 90 km 6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 95 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 95 km 5.0 mi 0
May 30, 1987 EF1 46 km 1.0 mi 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 26, 1997 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 4, 1992 EF0 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

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

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 150 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 150 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 150 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 150 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 150 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (80 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 80 km
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 125 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 30 km
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 92 km
2020 PEARL HILL 217,720 81 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 57 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 62 km
2015 LIMEBELT 137,098 36 km
1994 TYEE CREEK 123,618 74 km
2017 DIAMOND CREEK 117,527 54 km
2006 TRIPOD COMPLEX (SPUR PEAK) 115,123 44 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 88 km
2003 FAWN PEAK COMPLEX (FAREWELL) 77,444 41 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 96 km
2021 CUB CREEK 2 74,601 22 km
2015 WOLVERINE 66,329 52 km
2015 BLACK CANYON 61,379 56 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 75 km
2006 TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) 59,712 16 km
2021 CEDAR CREEK 58,591 19 km
2001 REX CREEK COMPLEX (REX CREEK) 54,456 40 km
2018 CRESCENT MOUNTAIN 53,258 22 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 3.1 in
February 28°F (-3°C) 2.1 in
March 36°F (2°C) 1.5 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.0 in
May 52°F (11°C) 1.3 in
June 59°F (15°C) 1.2 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.8 in Warmest, Driest
August 65°F (18°C) 0.9 in
September 56°F (14°C) 0.9 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.3 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 2.7 in
December 21°F (-6°C) 3.4 in Coldest, Wettest

Winthrop has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 21°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (0.8").

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