Weather in Yakima

Stay up to date with the latest weather conditions in the city of Yakima. Below you will find current data, forecasts, and useful weather charts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Yakima can be described as semi-arid (steppe) with four clearly defined seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Winters here are quite cold, with average temperatures around zero degrees Celsius and periodic frosts. Summers, by contrast, are hot and very dry, especially in July and August, when daytime temperatures often rise above 30°C.

One of the key features of the weather in Yakima is the low level of precipitation throughout the year. The highest number of "wet days" occurs in the winter months (December, January), but even then the volume of precipitation is small, and it can fall as either rain or snow. Summer months, from June to September, are characterised by minimal precipitation, and July is often completely dry. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures and little rainfall, offering comfortable conditions for visiting.

The climate in Yakima is characterised by significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. The coldest months are traditionally December and January, when the average air temperature hovers around 0°C, and nightly lows regularly drop below -3°C. Maximum daytime temperatures in these months rarely rise above 3-5°C. Conversely, the peak heat occurs in July and August. In July, the average temperature is about 23.3°C, while daytime highs can reach and even exceed 31°C, and night temperatures stay around a comfortable 15°C.

Summer months in Yakima, especially July and August, are distinguished by high daytime temperatures and significant dryness, as the amount of precipitation during this period is minimal (0 mm). The diurnal temperature range in summer is quite large: the difference between daytime highs and nightly lows can be 15-17°C. This means that even after a very hot day, evenings and nights can be pleasantly cool. June is also warm, with an average temperature of around 18.5°C and maximum values reaching 25-26°C.

Winter in Yakima is cool, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, especially at night. Average minimum temperatures in December, January, and February range from -3.1°C to -3.4°C, indicating regular frosts. Daytime temperatures in winter usually stay just above freezing, creating a sensation of frosty but not extremely cold weather. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, demonstrate gradual temperature changes. For example, in April the average temperature is already 8.8°C, and in October it is a comfortable 10.4°C, although noticeable daily temperature fluctuations are observed in these months as well.

In the city of Yakima, a pronounced seasonality in the distribution of precipitation is observed, with a clear division into a dry summer and a wetter winter period. Overall, Yakima is characterised by a relatively low total amount of precipitation throughout the year.

The summer months, especially from June to September, are the driest. During this period, precipitation is minimal: in June, July, August, and September, 0 mm of precipitation is recorded. July stands out as an absolutely dry month, when on average there is not a single day with precipitation. In August, only one day with precipitation is possible, and in June and September, their number does not exceed 3-4 days. Precipitation on these rare days, if it happens, is extremely insignificant.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls during the winter months. January and December are the wettest, when 3 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of days with it reaches 16 and 14 respectively. Considering that average temperatures in these months hover around 0°C, and minimums drop significantly below freezing (to -3.4°C), winter precipitation in Yakima most likely falls predominantly as snow or icy drizzle. November and February also bring precipitation (about 2 mm), but it happens less frequently than in mid-winter (approximately 11 days with precipitation). Spring and autumn months, such as March, April, and October, are characterised by a small amount of precipitation (1 mm) and about 7 days with precipitation, which usually falls as light rain.

When planning a trip to Yakima, it is important to consider that the city has a climate with distinct seasons, so your wardrobe will depend on the time of year. Summer (June-August) is quite hot and dry here, with average temperatures above 20°C and maximums often exceeding 30°C. During this period, you will need light breathable clothing: t-shirts, shorts, dresses made of natural fabrics. Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as there are many sunny days and practically no precipitation. Winters (December-February), on the other hand, are cold, with average temperatures around 0°C and frequent frosts. Despite the small amount of precipitation, there are quite a few "wet days" (when light snow or drizzle is possible). Therefore, pack a warm winter jacket, sweaters, thermal underwear, a hat, gloves, and a scarf, as well as waterproof shoes.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) in Yakima are transitional seasons with changeable weather. In early spring and late autumn, it can still be quite cool, while May and September will delight you with moderate warmth. The key principle for these seasons is layering. Take items that can be combined: t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, sweaters, a light jacket or windbreaker, as well as a warmer jacket for cool days. For example, in March the average temperature is about 4°C, and in May it is already almost 15°C. Similarly, September is comfortable with its 18°C, but November already greets you with cold around 3.5°C.

Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute necessity for any tourist planning to explore the city and its surroundings. Although the total amount of precipitation in Yakima is small, there are enough "wet days" in the winter and transitional months. Therefore, a light umbrella or a compact raincoat may prove useful, especially from November to February. In the evening, even in summer, the temperature can drop, so a light sweater or cardigan will come in handy for comfortable walks.