Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Yakima is
arid continental, with cold winters and hot summers. The scarce precipitation occurs in the cold semester, while the summer is sunny.
The city is located in the valley of the same name (crossed by the Yakima River), at an altitude of 300 meters (1,000 ft), in the driest part of the state of Washington (ie the one just east of the Cascade Range). To the north-west, about 100 km (60 mi) away, is Mount Rainier. To the south-west we find Mts St. Helens and Adams.
During the
winter, sometimes as early as in mid-November, cold spells can occur, in which the temperature drops to -20 °C (-4 °F) or below. The temperature dropped to -32 °C (-25 °F) in February 1950, to -25.6 °C (-14 °F) in January 2004, and to -26.7 °C (-16 °F) in December 1990.
Snowfalls are quite frequent, but generally not abundant. On average, 55 cm (21.5 in) of snow fall per year, which given the cold winter it's not much.
In
summer, the temperature difference between night and day is high. In fact, it can get very cool at night, or even cold, with lows below 10 °C (50 °F). On the other hand, in other periods, it can reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F) during the day. In June 2015, the temperature reached 42 °C (107.5 °F), and the highs remained at or above 37 °C (98.5 °F) from 26 June to 11 July. During the exceptional heat wave of late June 2021, the temperature reached 45 °C (113 °F).
The
average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of -0.8 °C (30.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.4 °C (72.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Yakima - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | -4.4 | 4.2 | -0.1 | 24 | 40 | 31.8 |
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February | -3.3 | 8.4 | 2.6 | 26 | 47 | 36.7 |
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March | -1 | 13.7 | 6.3 | 30 | 57 | 43.3 |
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April | 1.8 | 18.2 | 10 | 35 | 65 | 50 |
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May | 6.4 | 23.4 | 14.9 | 44 | 74 | 58.8 |
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June | 9.7 | 27.1 | 18.4 | 49 | 81 | 65.1 |
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July | 12.8 | 32.2 | 22.5 | 55 | 90 | 72.5 |
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August | 11.8 | 31.4 | 21.6 | 53 | 89 | 70.9 |
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September | 7.2 | 26.3 | 16.8 | 45 | 79 | 62.2 |
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October | 1.8 | 18 | 9.9 | 35 | 64 | 49.8 |
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November | -2.7 | 9.4 | 3.4 | 27 | 49 | 38.1 |
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December | -4.9 | 3.4 | -0.8 | 23 | 38 | 30.6 |
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Year | 3 | 18 | 10.5 | 37.4 | 64.4 | 50.9 |
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Precipitation amounts to 205 millimeters (8 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest months (July, August, September) to 35 mm (1.4 in) in the wettest (December). Here is the average precipitation.
Yakima - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 30 | 1.2 | 10 |
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February | 20 | 0.8 | 7 |
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March | 15 | 0.6 | 7 |
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April | 15 | 0.6 | 6 |
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May | 20 | 0.8 | 6 |
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June | 15 | 0.6 | 5 |
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July | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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August | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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September | 5 | 0.2 | 3 |
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October | 15 | 0.6 | 6 |
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November | 20 | 0.8 | 8 |
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December | 35 | 1.4 | 10 |
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Year | 205 | 8.1 | 72 |
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On average, there are around 2,350
sunshine hours per year. Summer is a dry and sunny season. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Yakima - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 2 | 65 | February | 4 | 115 | March | 6 | 185 | April | 7 | 210 | May | 9 | 280 | June | 10 | 300 | July | 11 | 340 | August | 10 | 310 | September | 8 | 240 | October | 6 | 185 | November | 2 | 60 | December | 2 | 60 | Year | 6.4 | 2350 |
Best Time
The best times to visit Yakima are spring and autumn, and in particular the months of May and September, to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat.
Back to the climate of
Washington state.
Yakima - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -4.4 °C (24 °F) and a maximum of 4.2 °C (39.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (7.5 °F). However, it dropped to -27.2 °C (-17 °F) in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.6 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -27.3 °C (-17.1 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in February 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
March is generally a quite cold month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 6.3 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -1 °C (30.2 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in March 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
April is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in April 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
May is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 6.4 °C (43.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
June is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in July 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
August is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in August 2015.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
September is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
October is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 1.8 °C (35.3 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
November is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.4 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -2.7 °C (27.2 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -23.3 °C (-9.9 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.8 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4.9 °C (23.1 °F) and a maximum of 3.4 °C (38.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (7.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).