An area of rich volcanic soil, Yakima, seat of Yakima County, is located in the south central part of Washington state. The city of Yakima is 16.83 square miles. Yakima County ranks seventh in population in Washington state, and encompasses 4,296 square miles. The climate of Yakima Valley is mild and dry, having the characteristics of both maritime and continental climates modified by the Cascade and Rocky Mountains.
Summers are dry and hot, while winters are cool with light snowfall.
Summer afternoons are hot, but due to the dry air, there is a rapid drop in temperature after sunset. This results in pleasantly cool evenings with lows in the 50s. Yakima Valley lies within the rain shadow of the Cascades, so the total amount of precipitation is relatively small. A July or August with no measurable rainfall is not uncommon. Snowfall is light with an annual total of 20-25 inches.