Air Quality
Pollution levels.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Washington counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average PM2.5 (µg/m³) | 7.6 | 8.2 |
- •Ozone drifting across Lake Michigan from Chicago gives Washington's shoreline counties their worst air-quality days.
Wildfires
Fire activity.
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Acres burned per year (thousands) | 330 | 7000 |
- •Most Washington wildfires burn east of the Cascades, where summers are hot and dry despite the state's rainy reputation.
Drought
Dry conditions.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Share of area in drought (%) | 10 | 26 |
- •The 2023 flash drought hit Washington's dairy forage crops hard despite the state's usually wet climate.
Water Usage
Water withdrawals.
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Water withdrawals per capita (gal/day) | 990 | 1000 |
- •Washington borders two Great Lakes and holds more than 15,000 inland lakes.
Emissions
Greenhouse gases.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOWAA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOWAA).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions per capita (t) | 9.2 | 14.7 |
- •Thanks to hydropower, Washington has some of the lowest per-capita CO2 emissions in the country; transport is now its biggest source.
Climate Indicators
Temperature and rainfall.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual precipitation (mm) | 840 | 767 |
- •Washington winters have warmed faster than its summers, shortening the ice-fishing season by weeks.