Weather in McChord AFB, Washington
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle76%58°44°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—62°40°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—70°45°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—65°46°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—70°43°
- ThursdayMay 21Mostly Clear—79°45°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—72°49°
- PM 2.5
- 2.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 2.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.2 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 69.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.4 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 12:32 PM
- Moonset
- 4:27 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks
McChord AFB at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 14°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 29 (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 17, 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
McChord AFB's warmest month is July (~67°F mean) and its coldest is December (~42°F). Rainfall peaks in November (6.5 inches) and bottoms out in July (0.6 inches).
| 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
McChord AFB sits within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Kennewick, WA, Bremerton, WA, Tacoma, WA.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in McChord AFB?
- McChord AFB's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in McChord AFB?
- November is the wettest month with about 6.5 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 41 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in McChord AFB?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 67°F.
- What is the coldest month in McChord AFB?
- December is typically coldest, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in McChord AFB?
- 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 McChord AFB get?
- McChord AFB averages about 96 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is McChord AFB?
- McChord AFB'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
McChord AFB, Washington sits in a warm-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January means hover near 43°F while July averages 67°F — a 24°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, McChord AFB receives about 41 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 96 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (47.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.