If you’ve ever stood on the shoreline at Sunnyside Beach Park, looking out toward McNeil Island, you know that the weather in Steilacoom WA isn’t just a forecast. It's a mood. One minute the Puget Sound is a flat, silver mirror under a heavy ceiling of gray, and the next, a sudden burst of sunlight turns the water a piercing blue.
Honestly, the weather here is why people stay.
📖 Related: First Class Titanic Rooms: What the Movies Always Get Wrong
Steilacoom holds a unique spot in Washington’s geography. As the oldest incorporated town in the state, it sits right on the edge of the water in Pierce County. This proximity to the Sound does something interesting to the air. It creates a maritime cushion. While towns further inland like Puyallup might be sweltering in the summer or shivering in a frost pocket during winter, Steilacoom stays... well, comfortable. Mostly.
The Reality of Steilacoom’s "Gray" Season
Most people talk about the rain. But locals know it’s really about the clouds. From roughly October to May, the sky over Steilacoom likes to settle into a persistent, wooly overcast.
Data from the PRISM Climate Group and historical NWS records show that January is usually the gloomiest month. We’re talking about a sky that is overcast or mostly cloudy about 75% of the time. It’s not always a downpour. Often, it’s just a "misting" that defies umbrellas.
Rainfall by the Numbers
- Annual Precipitation: Around 43 inches.
- Wettest Month: November (averaging 7 inches of rain).
- Driest Month: July (less than an inch usually).
Winter temperatures usually hover between $37^\circ\text{F}$ and $46^\circ\text{F}$. It’s a damp cold. The kind that gets into your bones if you aren't wearing wool. Snow? It happens, but it’s rare. Steilacoom usually sees about 4 inches of total snowfall a year. Most of that arrives in January, turns the town into a Victorian Christmas card for 24 hours, and then melts into slush by dinner.
Why the Puget Sound Changes Everything
Steilacoom’s weather is governed by the water. Because the Sound stays at a relatively constant temperature, it acts like a giant radiator in the winter and a massive air conditioner in the summer.
When a heatwave hits the Pacific Northwest—like those increasingly common July stretches—Steilacoom is often 5 to 10 degrees cooler than Tacoma or Olympia. That sea breeze isn't just a metaphor; it’s a physical relief.
The wind usually blows in from the south or southwest. In the winter, these winds can get a bit rowdy. Average speeds stay around 6 to 11 mph, but during a big storm, the gusts coming off the water can rattle the windows of those historic homes on the hill.
The Microclimate Factor
Because Steilacoom is tucked into the Puget Lowlands, it actually benefits from a partial rain shadow. The Olympic Mountains to the west take the brunt of the Pacific storms. By the time the clouds reach the town, they’ve often dumped their heaviest loads on the coast.
✨ Don't miss: What Country Is Largest By Area: Why the Answer Is Kinda Complicated
Summer: The "Big Reward"
If you can survive the "June Gloom," you get the Steilacoom summer. It is, quite literally, some of the best weather on the planet.
From late June through September, the clouds vanish. The humidity stays low. August is the peak, with average highs around $78^\circ\text{F}$ and lows near $55^\circ\text{F}$. You’ve got about 15.9 hours of daylight in mid-June. That’s a lot of time to sit outside at the Topside Coffee Cabin and watch the ferries go by.
What to expect in the summer:
- August: The hottest and clearest month.
- Comfort: About 141 days a year are classified as "comfortable" by climate standards.
- Sun: July averages over 10 hours of pure sunshine per day.
Historical Quirks and Outliers
It hasn't always been mild. The weather in Steilacoom WA has seen its share of drama. Older residents still talk about the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, where gusts in the region hit 88 mph.
And then there’s the "Big Snow" of 1950. While the town usually misses out on the heavy stuff, that year saw the Puget Sound area paralyzed by over 20 inches of snow.
More recently, climate trends tracked by the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group show the region is warming. Nights are getting warmer. The frost-free season is getting longer. This means the Steilacoom of 2026 feels slightly different than the Steilacoom of 1854.
Packing for the Steilacoom Climate
If you’re visiting or moving here, don't buy a heavy parka. You won't use it.
Basically, you need layers. A high-quality shell jacket is the "Steilacoom Uniform." It needs to be waterproof but breathable. Pair that with a light fleece, and you’re set for 90% of the year.
Pro tip: Forget the umbrella. The wind coming off the Sound will just flip it inside out. Go with a hooded jacket instead.
Seasonal Survival Kit
- Fall/Winter: Waterproof boots and wool socks. The ground stays saturated for months.
- Spring: "The Transition." Keep a pair of sunglasses and a rain shell in the car at all times.
- Summer: A light sweater for the evenings. Even if it's 80 during the day, the temperature drops fast once the sun dips behind the Olympics.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think it rains every day in Washington. It doesn't.
Steilacoom actually has a very distinct dry season. In fact, the summers here are drier than many parts of the East Coast. The "rain" is mostly a light drizzle that happens frequently, rather than heavy thunderstorms. Thunder and lightning are actually quite rare here compared to the Midwest.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About Moving from Milwaukee to Phoenix AZ
When you look at the weather in Steilacoom WA, you’re looking at a cycle of green. The rain is why the town stays lush, why the madrona trees thrive, and why the hanging flower baskets on Lafayette Street look so incredible in the spring.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of the local climate, follow these practical steps:
- Monitor the Sound: Use a local marine forecast, not just a standard weather app. Winds on the water dictate how the air will feel on land 30 minutes later.
- Plan for the "Second Summer": October often sees a "second summer" with clear, crisp days and vibrant fall colors. It's the best time for photography at Pioneer Orchard Park.
- Check Tide Tables: The weather feels much colder at the shoreline during high tide in the winter, as the cold water pulls heat from the air.
- Garden by the Zone: Steilacoom is generally in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. You can grow things here that would die just 20 miles inland, thanks to the salt air and moderated temperatures.
Steilacoom’s weather isn't something to endure; it's something to experience. Whether it's the mist rolling in off the water or the glow of a July sunset, it defines the character of Washington's first town.