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 | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 35° | 18 | 7.3 in | 4.2 h/day | 86% |
| February | 47° | 35° | 16 | 5.2 in | 5.1 h/day | 84% |
| March | 52° | 37° | 16 | 4.5 in | 7.5 h/day | 81% |
| April | 57° | 41° | 15 | 3.7 in | 9.1 h/day | 77% |
| May | 65° | 47° | 9 | 2.1 in | 10.3 h/day | 74% |
| June | 71° | 52° | 8 | 2.0 in | 12.0 h/day | 69% |
| July | 79° | 57° | 3 | 0.5 in | 12.8 h/day | 63% |
| August | 79° | 58° | 5 | 1.1 in | 11.8 h/day | 66% |
| September | 70° | 53° | 10 | 2.6 in | 9.4 h/day | 75% |
| October | 60° | 46° | 14 | 5.1 in | 6.7 h/day | 83% |
| November | 50° | 39° | 18 | 7.3 in | 4.8 h/day | 86% |
| December | 45° | 36° | 20 | 7.9 in | 3.6 h/day | 88% |
Tacoma month by month
Tacoma weather in January
January brings highs around 46°F (8°C), lows near 35°F (2°C), about 18 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.
Tacoma weather in February
February brings highs around 47°F (8°C), lows near 35°F (2°C), about 16 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.
Tacoma weather in March
March brings highs around 52°F (11°C), lows near 37°F (3°C), about 16 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.
Tacoma weather in April
April brings highs around 57°F (14°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), about 15 wet days.
Tacoma weather in May
May brings highs around 65°F (18°C), lows near 47°F (9°C), about 9 wet days.
Tacoma weather in June
June brings highs around 71°F (22°C), lows near 52°F (11°C), about 8 wet days.
Tacoma weather in July
July brings highs around 79°F (26°C), lows near 57°F (14°C), about 3 wet days - typically the driest month and the sunniest month of the year in Tacoma.
Tacoma weather in August
August brings highs around 79°F (26°C), lows near 58°F (14°C), about 5 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Tacoma.
Tacoma weather in September
September brings highs around 70°F (21°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), about 10 wet days.
Tacoma weather in October
October brings highs around 60°F (15°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), about 14 wet days.
Tacoma weather in November
November brings highs around 50°F (10°C), lows near 39°F (4°C), about 18 wet days.
Tacoma weather in December
December brings highs around 45°F (7°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), about 20 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days - typically the coldest month and the wettest month of the year in Tacoma.
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.