Weather

Weather & Climate

Four real seasons, under a big dry sky.

Perched at about 2,500 feet on the divide between two river basins, Reardan gets the full sweep of an eastern Washington climate: hot, bright summers and cold, snowy winters, with wide-open skies in between. Here is the live picture right now, the numbers behind the seasons, and where to turn when the weather turns.

Live conditions and air quality for Reardan, refreshed each time you load the page, from Open-Meteo. For official forecasts and warnings, use the National Weather Service.

The Year in Four Acts

What the seasons feel like

Reardan sits in the rain shadow of the Cascades, which makes for a semi-arid climate: relatively little precipitation, low summer humidity, plenty of sun, and a big daily swing between high and low temperatures.

Spring

40s–60s°FMar–May

Slow to arrive and famously changeable. Snow can linger into March, then wildflowers spread across the scablands and the wheat greens up. Spring is the windiest stretch of the year, and a sunny morning can turn to a cold squall by afternoon. The last hard frost usually comes in mid-May, so gardeners wait it out.

Spring birding & the outdoors →

Summer

80s–90s°FJun–Aug

Warm, bright, and dry, the signature Inland Northwest summer. July and August average highs in the mid-80s, often reaching the 90s, but low humidity and cool nights take the edge off. Rain is scarce and evenings are long. Wildfire smoke can occasionally haze the sky in late summer.

Summer events & Mule Days →

Fall

40s–70s°FSep–Nov

Arguably the finest season: warm days ease into crisp nights, the harvest wraps up, and the light turns golden over the stubble fields. The first frost usually arrives by late September. Tundra swans return to Audubon Lake, and by November the first fog and freezes roll in.

Fall drives & day trips →

Winter

20s–30s°FDec–Feb

Cold and genuinely snowy. December and January bring lows in the low-to-mid 20s and highs near freezing, with most of the town’s roughly 44 inches of annual snow falling now. Expect icy roads, blowing and drifting snow across open country, and gray valley inversions.

Winter driving & road conditions →

Driving in winter? Open wheat country means blowing snow and sudden fog on US-2. Check the WSDOT live travel map or dial 511 before you set out, and see the Getting Around page for more.

Month by Month

The climate at a glance

Approximate monthly averages for the Reardan area. Use them to plan a visit, a garden, or a move. Actual conditions vary year to year.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowPrecipSnowNotes
January34°25°1.9″13″Coldest, snowiest
February40°27°1.3″6″Still wintry
March49°31°1.4″3″Thaw begins
April58°36°1.2″<1″Windy, greening
May67°43°1.5″0″Last frost ~mid-May
June75°50°1.2″0″Warming, Mule Days
July84°55°0.5″0″Hot, dry, bright
August84°54°0.6″0″Driest; smoke risk
September73°46°0.7″0″First frost ~late Sept
October58°37°1.0″<1″Golden, crisp
November42°30°2.0″5″Fog, first freezes
December33°25°2.1″14″Deep winter
Year58°38°~15.4″~44″Semi-arid

Figures are approximate and reflect the nearest long-term official station in the Spokane area. For exact climate normals, see NWS Spokane’s climate data (NOWData) and NOAA U.S. Climate Normals.

By the Numbers

Climate fun facts

A few figures that capture Reardan’s weather. Averages are approximate for the town; records reflect the nearest long-term official station in the Spokane area.

109°F
Regional record high, June 29, 2021, during the historic Northwest heat dome
-25°F
Regional record low, set December 30, 1968
~175
Sunny days a year, well above the U.S. average
~44in
Average annual snowfall, above the national average

A few more: Reardan averages only about 15 to 17 inches of precipitation a year, roughly half the national average, which is why it counts as semi-arid. The wettest months are usually November through January; the driest are July and August. The growing season runs roughly 120 to 140 days, from the last spring frost around mid-May to the first fall frost in late September.

Thanks to that dry air, summer days in the 90s still cool off sharply after sunset, and the gap between a day’s high and its overnight low is often 30 degrees or more. The 2021 heat dome shattered all-time marks across the Pacific Northwest, some by several degrees. You can browse historical data yourself through the NWS climate records for the Spokane area.

Know Before It Turns

Weather hazards & safety

A handful of weather situations are worth preparing for around Reardan. Here is what to watch and where to get official guidance.

Winter storms & ice

Snow, freezing fog, and blowing-and-drifting snow across open country are the main winter hazards, and US-2 can turn treacherous fast. Keep an emergency kit in the car and check conditions before you travel.

Wildfire smoke

In late summer, smoke from regional wildfires can drift in and push air quality into unhealthy ranges for a few days at a time. Check the live AQI in the widget above, and limit outdoor exertion when it climbs.

Extreme heat

Heat waves like the 2021 dome are rare but serious, especially since many older homes here lack air conditioning. Stay hydrated, avoid midday exertion, and check on older neighbors during hot spells.

Wind & thunderstorms

Strong spring winds and the occasional summer thunderstorm can bring gusts, dust, lightning, and brief power outages. Sign up for local alerts and keep a NOAA Weather Radio for storm and winter warnings.

Weather alerts. Modern phones receive Wireless Emergency Alerts for severe weather automatically. For more, sign up for emergency notifications through Lincoln County and keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to the Spokane transmitter. In any life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Check Before You Go

Weather resources & links

Reliable, official sources for forecasts, air quality, roads, and climate data around Reardan.

Forecasts & radar

NWS Forecast — Reardan
Official point forecast, hourly graph, and 7-day outlook. forecast.weather.gov
NWS Spokane (regional office)
Warnings, area forecast discussion, and briefings. weather.gov/otx
NWS Radar — Spokane (KOTX)
Live regional precipitation radar. radar.weather.gov
Windy
Interactive wind, radar, and forecast maps. windy.com

Air quality & smoke

AirNow
Official U.S. AQI and health guidance. airnow.gov
AirNow Fire & Smoke Map
Live smoke plumes and sensor readings. fire.airnow.gov
Washington Smoke Information
Statewide wildfire-smoke outlooks. wasmoke.blogspot.com
WA Dept. of Ecology — Air
State air-monitoring network and info. ecology.wa.gov

Roads & travel

WSDOT Travel & Conditions
Live map, cameras, US-2 conditions; dial 511. wsdot.wa.gov
WSDOT Mountain Passes
Pass reports for trips over the Cascades. wsdot.wa.gov/mountainpasses
Getting Around Reardan
Local distances, transit, and winter-driving tips. Getting Around →

Climate data & alerts

NWS Climate (NOWData)
Records, normals, and monthly summaries. weather.gov/wrh/climate
U.S. Drought Monitor — WA
Current drought status statewide. droughtmonitor.unl.edu
NOAA Weather Radio
Continuous broadcasts and warning tones. weather.gov/nwr
Ready.gov
Prepare for winter, heat, and wildfire. ready.gov

About This Page

This page is part of Discover Reardan, an independent community guide to Reardan, Washington, operated by Steinwood Investments, LLC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Open-Meteo, the National Weather Service, NOAA, AirNow, WSDOT, the Washington Department of Ecology, or any other service named or linked here. Live weather and air-quality data are provided by Open-Meteo for a point near Reardan and are shown for general information only; they may differ from conditions at your exact location and can be delayed or temporarily unavailable. Monthly averages and climate figures are approximate and drawn from public sources, and temperature records reflect the nearest long-term official weather station in the Spokane area (period of record from the 1880s), not a dedicated Reardan station, so they are labeled as regional records. Always rely on the National Weather Service and local authorities for official forecasts, watches, and warnings, especially in hazardous conditions. Links to outside sites are provided as a convenience, and Discover Reardan does not control their content. In any emergency, call 911.