Pool season · State index
Washington Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 21 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 21 covered Washington cities. The median calendar runs May 24 to October 1. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Washington: a moderate-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | May 21 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Bellevue | May 24 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Bellingham | Jun 7 | Sep 17 | 0 |
| Bremerton | Jun 5 | Sep 28 | 0 |
| Everett | Jun 4 | Sep 21 | 0 |
| Federal Way | May 24 | Sep 29 | 0 |
| Kennewick | Apr 26 | Oct 11 | 101 |
| Kent | May 21 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Kirkland | May 31 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Marysville | Jun 4 | Sep 21 | 0 |
| Olympia | Jun 14 | Sep 18 | 0 |
| Pasco | Apr 30 | Oct 4 | 107 |
| Redmond | May 31 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Renton | May 24 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Seattle | May 31 | Oct 1 | 0 |
| Spokane | May 23 | Sep 27 | 70 |
| Spokane Valley | May 23 | Sep 27 | 70 |
| Tacoma | May 24 | Sep 29 | 0 |
| Vancouver | May 19 | Oct 5 | 52 |
| Wenatchee | May 1 | Oct 7 | 87 |
| Yakima | May 3 | Oct 6 | 90 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Washington cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Washington
The fairest way to compare Washington cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Washington pool climate at a glance
Marine clouds keep western Washington cool until a famously dry, pleasant July and August, while hotter eastern Washington summers open pools earlier despite colder continental winters. In model terms that makes Washington a moderate-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Pasco's pool season with Bremerton's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Virginia and West Virginia for the adjacent calendars.
Washington pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Washington?
Model openings in Washington run from April 26 in Kennewick to June 14 in Olympia, with the statewide median on May 24. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Washington?
The median Washington closing deadline is October 1, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Washington city has the longest swim season?
Pasco leads with 107 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Tacoma brings up the rear at 0 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.