Climate & Geography
Climate
Since Washington is known as the “Evergreen State,” many view it as a land of forests and gentle rains. The Tri-Cities, however, is a dry land area located in southeastern Washington, averaging only eight to nine inches of precipitation per year. With about 300 days of sun a year, the ample sunshine is an attractive feature to the region.
| January Average High |
40 Degrees |
| January Average Low |
28 Degrees |
| July Average High |
89 Degrees |
| July Average Low |
61 Degrees |
| Average Annual Precipitation |
7.7 Inches |
| Average Annual Snowfall |
6.8 Inches |
| Average Number of Sunny Days |
300+ Days |
Geography
Three major rivers, the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers, dominate the geography of the region. Horse Heaven Hills, which lie southwest of the urban area, provide the community with its southern horizon. It is this part of the state where the rivers converge and form Lake Wallula upstream from McNary Dam on the Columbia River. The rivers provide the Tri-Cities with abundant water for irrigation and energy, barge transportation, and is a coveted recreational resource. A fun fact about the area is that Rattlesnake Mountain, at over 3,000 feet, is considered the tallest, tree-less mountain in the Northern Hemisphere.