What is the weather like? How much snow and wind does the Preserve get?
A. Central Washington is well known for receiving 300+ days of sunshine each year. The semi-arid climate means summer days in the 80’s and 90’s. Due to the increase in elevation, temperatures at the Preserve can be as much as 3 to 7 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Snow on the Mesa top in an average winter can be two feet deep; maximum depth observed in past 25 years was five feet deep. The Columbia River Valley is known for areas that can become quite windy; however, much of the Preserve is protected from these stronger winds. The “rim” of the Mesa top receives the most wind, however, there are no homesites located there.
