Weather in Kent, Washington
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Rain67%55°44°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—62°41°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—66°47°
- TuesdayMay 19Drizzle—61°49°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—69°45°
- ThursdayMay 21Partly Cloudy—78°48°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—71°52°
- PM 2.5
- 2.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 2.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 72.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 2.1 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 11:51 AM
- Moonset
- 3:03 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks
Kent at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 13°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 30 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
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
August is Kent's warmest month, averaging around 67°F, and December is the coldest at about 42°F. Rainfall reaches its peak in November with 5.8 inches and drops to 0.8 inches in July.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 5.1″ | 12 |
| February | 43° | 3.5″ | 9 |
| March | 47° | 3.9″ | 11 |
| April | 51° | 3.0″ | 9 |
| May | 57° | 2.2″ | 6 |
| June | 61° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| July | 67° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| August | 67° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| September | 62° | 1.7″ | 5 |
| October | 54° | 3.6″ | 9 |
| November | 46° | 5.8″ | 12 |
| December | 42° | 5.5″ | 12 |
Regional context
Kent belongs to a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region, a grouping of nearby cities that share similar temperature ranges, seasonal timing, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Kennewick, WA, Bremerton, WA, Tacoma, WA.
Naturalist notes
By mid-May, western red cedars in the area release clouds of pollen, leaving a faint yellow dust on parked cars and pavement after dry days.
Late spring brings an uptick in barn swallow activity as pairs return to nest under bridges and eaves, flashing their forked tails over open fields at dusk.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Kent?
- Kent's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Kent?
- November is the wettest month with about 5.8 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 38 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Kent?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 67°F.
- What is the coldest month in Kent?
- December is typically coldest, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Kent?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-May); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Kent get?
- Kent averages about 95 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Kent?
- Kent's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Kent, Washington falls within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate zone. Mean January temperatures stay near 42°F while July averages 67°F, a 24°F swing across the seasons.
Roughly 38 inches of precipitation lands on the city each year, distributed across about 95 rainy days.
Latitude at 47.4°N, nearby water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. They influence what plants succeed here, when frost is most likely, and the day-to-day weather patterns.