Weather and Seasons
on Orcas Island

Overall our weather is mild year round. Temps in a normal winter are in the mid 40’s with the occasional cold blast from the north out of Canada. Snow a couple times during the year is picturesque and has a very short term slowing effect on island life, unless you live at a higher elevation where it can last longer.

Click here for a detailed forecast

Summer temps are generally in the mid 70’s with a short burst of mid 80’s. Rain is around 30” per year. Lightening storms are fairly infrequent but wind is fairly common. Extreme weather is possible, but uncommon.

Many people enjoy the quiet winters while other choose to be ‘snowbirds’ and winter elsewhere warmer. Orcas Island has a dramatically different character depending upon the time of year. Winter is a favorite time for year-round islanders as it is the quietest time and arguably the most beautiful.

During winter few tourists are here, town is quiet, the parks are vacant and there is no wait at the ferry landing. Winter is the time where you either relish in our solitude or run to warmer, more active climates. Your choice.

Summer is the height of activity with kids out of school, many part-time Islanders returning along with campers and multitudes of tourists and bicyclists buzzing around. All of Orcas Island and especially the ferry landing, Moran State Park and restaurants are busier in summer, so plan accordingly. However, since most residences are away from the activity in Eastsound, the Orcas Landing, or Deer Harbor, most Islanders have the same tranquility at their home in summer as they do any other time of year.