Weather & Climate in Yakima, WA

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

Yakima experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 278 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 12.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 68% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,194 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	53.6°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	278 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,194 ft (364 m)
Area	27.7 sq mi (71.7 km²)
Population Density	3,446/sq mi
Coordinates	46.5909°N, 120.5494°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Yakima County County
Nearest Airport	Tri-Cities (PSC) 72 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.2"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 13.4"

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.61"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	67.8%
Unhealthy Days	7

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	94.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.9 / 100
Community Resilience	13.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1,150 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Jun 18, 1994	11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington	M4.3	127 km	-1 km
Feb 14, 2011	31 km S of Morton, Washington	M4.3	132 km	4 km
Jun 27, 2013	25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington	M4.3	138 km	8 km
Feb 18, 2015	15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington	M4.2	75 km	4 km
Jun 17, 2010	30 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.2	56 km	3 km
May 20, 1995	15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington	M4.1	111 km	12 km
Aug 16, 2004	16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington	M4.0	71 km	-1 km
Oct 9, 1998	20 km S of White Swan, Washington	M4.0	45 km	2 km
Aug 8, 2023	9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington	M3.9	146 km	16 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	50 km	15 km
Sep 10, 1994	2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington	M3.9	126 km	17 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.9	134 km	-1 km
Jun 25, 2004	17 km W of Packwood, Washington	M3.9	103 km	-1 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	110 km	0 km
Jan 3, 2018	37 km SSE of Morton, Washington	M3.9	121 km	10 km
Sep 12, 2015	3 km NE of North Bend, Washington	M3.9	137 km	19 km
Mar 29, 2010	10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington	M3.8	55 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2013	24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington	M3.7	144 km	14 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	90 km	20 km
Jan 1, 1997	14 km NNE of Selah, Washington	M3.7	22 km	18 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 30, 1957	EF2	4 km	1.0 mi	0
May 1, 2024	EF0	65 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 13, 2014	EF0	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 7, 2008	EF0	5 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 2005	EF0	6 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 2005	EF0	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	88 km	0.5 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF0	96 km	0.3 mi	0
May 15, 2000	EF0	28 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 1999	EF0	10 km	—	0
Aug 26, 1997	EF0	27 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1980	WASHINGTON	Explosion	250.0 m	61	132 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Adams (84 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	84 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	97 km
Indian Heaven	Shield(s)	1,806 m (5,925 ft)	-6250	122 km
St. Helens	Stratovolcano	2,549 m (8,363 ft)	2008	132 km
West Crater	Volcanic field	1,329 m (4,360 ft)	-5750	142 km
Hood	Stratovolcano	3,426 m (11,240 ft)	1866	162 km
Glacier Peak	Stratovolcano	3,213 m (10,541 ft)	1700	174 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANGE 12 (167,604 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	RANGE 12	167,604	53 km
2000	24 COMMAND	162,300	76 km
1984	HANFORD	122,914	77 km
2021	SCHNEIDER SPRINGS	114,743	50 km
2000	MULE DRY	90,184	77 km
2013	COLOCKUM TARPS	79,279	73 km
2007	WAUTOMA	77,956	66 km
2020	EVANS CANYON	76,288	27 km
1996	COLD CREEK	72,859	39 km
2018	BOYLSTON	66,292	44 km
2012	TABLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	65,887	78 km
2023	NEWELL ROAD	61,833	84 km
2015	COUGAR CREEK	51,866	78 km
2024	BIG HORN	51,023	88 km
2017	NORSE PEAK	51,017	79 km
2009	DRY CREEK COMPLEX	49,843	48 km
2024	RETREAT	44,681	32 km
2019	COLD CREEK	43,756	70 km
2017	JOLLY MOUNTAIN	38,159	90 km
2015	HIGHWAY 8	35,296	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	1.5 in
February	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
March	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
April	50°F (10°C)	0.6 in
May	57°F (14°C)	0.5 in
June	65°F (18°C)	0.6 in
July	78°F (26°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in
September	62°F (16°C)	0.4 in
October	51°F (10°C)	0.6 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.3 in
December	29°F (-1°C)	1.6 in	Coldest, Wettest

Yakima has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.6") and July the driest (0.2").

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