Tacoma, WA Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Tacoma
Tacoma runs on a dry-summer rhythm: the warmest months are also the driest. July averages 12 mm (0.5 in) while the wet season peaks in December at 7.9 inches (200 mm). Highs range from 45°F (7°C) to 79°F (26°C).
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: August - highs near 79°F (26°C)
- Coldest month: December - highs near 45°F (7°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 107°F (41°C) high · 11°F (-12°C) low
- Wettest month: December (20 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.8 h sun/day)
- Climate type: oceanic
- Annual swing: 15°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
- Snow: about 8 days a year
- Average humidity: 78%
Temperatures through the year
Five of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is May through September. December bottoms out at 45°F (7°C) in daylight, 36°F (2°C) after dark. At its warmest, in August, Tacoma runs to 79°F (26°C) in the afternoon and back to 58°F (14°C) by dawn. Sunshine averages 8.1 hours a day over the year - duller than about 81% of the cities we track, peaking in July at 12.8 hours.
Rain, sun and snow
December is the wettest month at 7.9 inches (200 mm) over 20 days; July is the driest. Snow falls on roughly 8 days a year, mostly November through April. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 107°F (41°C) and bottoms at 11°F (-12°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.
How Tacoma compares
- Tacoma sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 52°F (11°C) as an annual average, 49.3 inches (1253 mm) of precipitation and 8.1 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 35° | 18 | 7.3 in | 4.2 h/day | 8.9 h | 59% | 86% |
| February | 47° | 35° | 16 | 5.2 in | 5.1 h/day | 10.2 h | 58% | 84% |
| March | 52° | 37° | 16 | 4.5 in | 7.5 h/day | 11.8 h | 52% | 81% |
| April | 57° | 41° | 15 | 3.7 in | 9.1 h/day | 13.5 h | 50% | 77% |
| May | 65° | 47° | 9 | 2.1 in | 10.3 h/day | 15.1 h | 30% | 74% |
| June | 71° | 52° | 8 | 2.0 in | 12.0 h/day | 15.9 h | 25% | 69% |
| July | 79° | 57° | 3 | 0.5 in | 12.8 h/day | 15.6 h | 10% | 63% |
| August | 79° | 58° | 5 | 1.1 in | 11.8 h/day | 14.2 h | 17% | 66% |
| September | 70° | 53° | 10 | 2.6 in | 9.4 h/day | 12.5 h | 34% | 75% |
| October | 60° | 46° | 14 | 5.1 in | 6.7 h/day | 10.8 h | 44% | 83% |
| November | 50° | 39° | 18 | 7.3 in | 4.8 h/day | 9.2 h | 61% | 86% |
| December | 45° | 36° | 20 | 7.9 in | 3.6 h/day | 8.5 h | 65% | 88% |
Tacoma month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Tacoma's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 18 days
- Sunshine
- 4.2 h
- Daylight
- 8.9 h
- Snow
- 1 day
February
- Rain
- 16 days
- Sunshine
- 5.1 h
- Daylight
- 10.2 h
- Snow
- 2 days
March
- Rain
- 16 days
- Sunshine
- 7.5 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
- Snow
- 1 day
April
- Rain
- 15 days
- Sunshine
- 9.1 h
- Daylight
- 13.5 h
May
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 15.1 h
June
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 12.0 h
- Daylight
- 15.9 h
July
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 12.8 h
- Daylight
- 15.6 h
August
- Rain
- 5 days
- Sunshine
- 11.8 h
- Daylight
- 14.2 h
September
- Rain
- 10 days
- Sunshine
- 9.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.5 h
October
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 6.7 h
- Daylight
- 10.8 h
November
- Rain
- 18 days
- Sunshine
- 4.8 h
- Daylight
- 9.2 h
December
- Rain
- 20 days
- Sunshine
- 3.6 h
- Daylight
- 8.5 h
- Snow
- 2 days
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Tacoma
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Tacoma stays on the cool side of mild: 58°F (14°C) by day, 42°F (5°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 41 of the 90 days.
Summer (June through August)
Summer is pleasantly warm here - highs near 76°F (25°C), nights near 56°F (13°C), and rain comes on about 16 days over the three months. Daylight is generous - around 12.2 hours of sun a day.
Fall (September through November)
Fall is mild here - highs near 60°F (16°C), nights near 46°F (8°C), and rain falls on around 42 of the 90 days.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Tacoma is brisk and cold, with daytime highs averaging 46°F (8°C) and nights around 35°F (2°C); rain falls on around 55 of the 90 days, plus about 6 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
What is the average temperature in Tacoma?
What should I wear in Tacoma?
Is Tacoma humid?
Is Tacoma cold in winter?
Best time to visit Tacoma
Aim for May to September if you get the choice: the dry season is running but the afternoons are still bearable, and highs average 73°F (23°C) against roughly 7 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in May.
Pack for Tacoma with a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. Even in August, lows of 58°F (14°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Tacoma temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.