Clayton has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 22°, and about 48 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Clayton at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Clayton’s climate
Read from where Clayton sits among Washington’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
48 inches of snow, 23 of rain and melt
December is the wettest month and August the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 116 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Clayton’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
112 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 22 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 14.
About 48" a winter over 17 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 56 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 97% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 22 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →About 112 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 22 and the first by September 14.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Clayton averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.1°).
A bigger shift than in 59% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Clayton feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
How Clayton compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Washington.
Clayton weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 22° | 2.7" | 13.0" | 14 | 19 | 19° – 33° |
| February | 39° | 23° | 1.9" | 6.8" | 11 | 13 | 20° – 38° |
| March | 48° | 28° | 2.3" | 4.6" | 13 | 5 | 33° – 44° |
| April | 57° | 33° | 2.0" | 1.3" | 10 | 0 | 40° – 53° |
| May | 67° | 41° | 2.0" | 0.3" | 10 | 0 | 48° – 60° |
| June | 73° | 46° | 2.1" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 56° – 68° |
| July | 84° | 51° | 0.7" | 0 | 3 | 0 | 58° – 73° |
| August | 83° | 50° | 0.6" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 60° – 70° |
| September | 73° | 43° | 0.9" | 0.1" | 5 | 0 | 54° – 63° |
| October | 57° | 34° | 1.9" | 0.5" | 10 | 0 | 40° – 52° |
| November | 41° | 27° | 3.0" | 6.1" | 13 | 4 | 27° – 41° |
| December | 33° | 22° | 3.2" | 15.5" | 15 | 15 | 21° – 32° |
| Year | 57° | 35° | 23.3" | 48.2" | 116 | 56 |
Heating and cooling a home in Clayton
97% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 20° to 38°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Clayton’s climate
What is the coldest month in Clayton?
December, with a typical high of 33° and a low of 22°.
What is the hottest month in Clayton?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 51°. About 22 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Clayton get?
About 48 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Clayton?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 14, and the last spring frost by May 22.
What is the rainiest month in Clayton?
December, with 3.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 23 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Clayton.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Clayton itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Spokane Wfo, WA (22 mi, snow) and Deer Park Airport, WA (6 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.