Tacoma, Washington Weather
Rufous Hummingbirds Arrive. Day 76 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Tacoma weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar
- TodayJun 3Overcast——68°57°—
- ThursdayJun 4Overcast——64°51°-4°
- FridayJun 5Drizzle70%0.01″57°46°-7°
- SaturdayJun 6Light Showers81%0.08″56°44°-1°
- SundayJun 7Light Drizzle——64°44°+8°
- MondayJun 8Drizzle43%0.20″53°47°-11°
- TuesdayJun 9Light Drizzle35%—60°46°+7°
PM2.5/PM10 ratio 0.66 with 11 mph wind — characteristic of long-range haze transport rather than a local source. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±3 points).
OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
What's driving it
Ozone × UV × Sky
Ozone at AQI 44. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~83%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.
- Present
- AQI 44
- UV peak
- 4.1 at 1 PM
- Sky at peak
- overcast
- Projected peak
- AQI 12
PM × Wind × Precip
PM2.5/PM10 ratio 0.66 with 11 mph wind — characteristic of long-range haze transport rather than a local source.
- PM2.5/PM10
- 0.66
- Wind
- breezy
- Recent rain
- 0h in last 6h
- Pattern
- transport
Trends
Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.
Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
The higher the clouds, the finer the weather.
- Moonrise
- 6:37 AM
- Moonset
- 2:43 PM
- In sign
- ♑︎ Capricorn
Rufous Hummingbirds Arrive
Tacoma at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 68°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: May 29 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: Jun 1–5
- Planting window: Harvest spring lettuce before it bolts. Sow heat-tolerant greens.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of June 3, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
SPC Convective Outlook
Storm Prediction Center — Tacoma
SPC has placed Tacoma in the General Thunderstorms category for severe thunderstorms day after tomorrow.
- TODAYNONENo severe risk
- TOMORROWNONENo severe risk
- DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.
Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Temperature extremes define Tacoma's calendar, with July bringing the year's peak warmth at around 67°F and December delivering the coldest conditions at roughly 42°F. Rain follows its own schedule, peaking during November's 6.5-inch deluge before nearly disappearing in July's dry 0.6-inch average.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 6.0″ | 13 |
| February | 44° | 4.0″ | 10 |
| March | 47° | 4.4″ | 12 |
| April | 52° | 3.4″ | 9 |
| May | 58° | 2.0″ | 6 |
| June | 62° | 1.4″ | 4 |
| July | 67° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| August | 67° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| September | 62° | 1.6″ | 4 |
| October | 54° | 4.1″ | 9 |
| November | 47° | 6.5″ | 13 |
| December | 42° | 6.0″ | 14 |
Regional context
Part of the broader warm-summer Mediterranean climate zone, Tacoma shares temperature patterns, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities throughout the region.
Similar climates: Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Kennewick, WA, Bremerton, WA, Olympia, WA.
Naturalist notes
Pacific rhododendrons burst into bloom across Tacoma's landscape during late spring, their pink and white flowers marking the season's progression.
American robins begin their dawn chorus earlier each morning through May, signaling longer daylight hours and warming soil temperatures.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Tacoma?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-May in Tacoma, while the first fall frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Tacoma?
- November brings Tacoma's heaviest rainfall at approximately 6.5 inches, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 41 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Tacoma?
- July typically records the year's highest temperatures, averaging about 67°F.
- What is the coldest month in Tacoma?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, with temperatures averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Tacoma?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks longer.
- How many rainy days does Tacoma get?
- Rain falls on approximately 96 days throughout a typical year in Tacoma.
- What hardiness zone is Tacoma?
- Tacoma's USDA hardiness zone depends on average minimum winter temperatures; use the USDA's online zone finder with your specific ZIP code for the most current designation.
Climate
Tucked into the Pacific Northwest, Tacoma enjoys a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures in January hover near 43°F, while summer brings July averages around 67°F — creating a comfortable 24°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, the city collects about 41 inches of precipitation, falling across roughly 96 rainy days.
Geography drives Tacoma's weather patterns through its latitude of 47.2°N, nearby water bodies, and local elevation. These factors determine growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.