Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 54 min5:15 am – 9:09 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 31 min7:53 am – 4:24 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 78°F, lows 51°FColdest month December: highs 45°F, lows 33°F51 in of rain a year, on about 105 dayswettest month November4 in of snow a year, on about 2 days6 days above 90°F, 77 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Olympia Ap station, 10 mi away
Parks and public landsBilly Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refugenational wildlife refuge · 5.8 mi · 5,534 acresMcallister Community Parkpark · 4.3 mi · 59 acresLakepointe Parkpark · 4.5 miTolmiestate park · 10.2 mi · 154 acresMillersylvania Memorialstate park · 10.3 mi · 903 acresWA State Parks Headquartersstate park · 10.4 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes192 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 197026 of magnitude 4+, 5 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 6.8 on 28 Feb 200112 mi away, near Longbranch, WashingtonMost recent: magnitude 3.2 on 18 Mar 202530 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively HighThurston County, WA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsLandslide Relatively HighEarthquake Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality94% of days had good air in 2025274 of 293 days measured19 moderate daysMedian index 27, worst day 65main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Thurston County monitors, WA
Drinking waterTahoma Valley Country Clubserves 50 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation421 ft128 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalProvidence Saint Peter Hospital8.7 miPost officeYelm Post Office5.9 miTown hallYelm City Hall5.1 miPoliceYelm Police Department5.1 miFire stationLacey Fire District 3 Station 321.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
