Elko has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.0 inches. The area receives 13.0 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 40.3°F |
| 25% below US avg |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,104 ft (946 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 28/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.2974°N, 115.1107°W |
| Timezone | America/Edmonton |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
28.0"
26% below US avg
Wettest Month (Nov)
3.39"
Earthquake History
73 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Sep 30, 2024.
| Dec 22, 1998 |
Idaho-Montana border region |
M4.7 |
145 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 |
35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada |
M4.6 |
80 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 |
8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana |
M4.3 |
53 km |
| May 2, 1995 |
2 km NW of Kila, Montana |
M4.1 |
137 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 |
2 km NNW of Kila, Montana |
M4.1 |
137 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 |
15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana |
M4.0 |
149 km |
| Feb 5, 2023 |
British Columbia, Canada |
M3.9 |
115 km |
| Feb 28, 2000 |
10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada |
M3.8 |
62 km |
| May 2, 1995 |
3 km WNW of Kila, Montana |
M3.8 |
137 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 |
12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana |
M3.7 |
131 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 |
5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana |
M3.5 |
118 km |
| Dec 15, 2012 |
19 km S of Troy, Montana |
M3.4 |
125 km |
| May 14, 2014 |
5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana |
M3.4 |
131 km |
| Nov 21, 1992 |
Western Montana |
M3.4 |
115 km |
| May 25, 1995 |
1 km N of Kila, Montana |
M3.4 |
138 km |
| Jun 30, 1995 |
3 km NW of Kila, Montana |
M3.4 |
137 km |
| May 25, 1995 |
2 km NW of Kila, Montana |
M3.4 |
137 km |
| May 3, 1995 |
4 km WNW of Kila, Montana |
M3.3 |
136 km |
| Feb 14, 2012 |
6 km ESE of Stryker, Montana |
M3.3 |
78 km |
| May 20, 1995 |
4 km W of Kila, Montana |
M3.3 |
138 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: WEDGE CANYON (51,987 ac, 2003).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2003 |
WEDGE CANYON |
51,987 |
69 km |
| 1988 |
RED BENCH |
33,845 |
84 km |
| 2017 |
CARIBOU |
28,101 |
40 km |
| 2017 |
WEST FORK |
21,154 |
94 km |
| 2021 |
SOUTH YAAK |
12,866 |
97 km |
| 1988 |
DRY FORK |
11,403 |
95 km |
| 2000 |
STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) |
11,279 |
56 km |
| 1994 |
NORTH FORK COMPLEX (ADAIR II) |
10,329 |
98 km |
| 1994 |
NORTH FORK COMPLEX (STARVATION) |
8,990 |
68 km |
| 2000 |
KOOTENAI COMPLEX (UPPER BEAVER) |
8,783 |
60 km |
| 1994 |
KOOCANUSA COMPLEX (NORTH FORK BIG CREEK) |
8,475 |
66 km |
| 2015 |
MARSTON |
7,587 |
65 km |
| 2018 |
DAVIS |
7,103 |
68 km |
| 1991 |
UNNAMED |
7,096 |
89 km |
| 2018 |
GOLD HILL |
6,780 |
85 km |
| 2017 |
UNNAMED |
6,755 |
56 km |
| 2000 |
STONE YOUNG (CLIFF POINT) |
6,648 |
62 km |
| 2017 |
GIBRALTER RIDGE |
6,299 |
52 km |
| 2022 |
WEASEL |
5,752 |
45 km |
| 2000 |
STONE YOUNG (LYDIA) |
5,649 |
66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
18°F (-8°C) |
2.8 in |
Coldest |
| February |
25°F (-4°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| March |
32°F (-0°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| April |
39°F (4°C) |
1.9 in |
|
| May |
48°F (9°C) |
2.7 in |
|
| June |
55°F (13°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| July |
61°F (16°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| August |
61°F (16°C) |
1.6 in |
Warmest, Driest |
| September |
52°F (11°C) |
1.9 in |
|
| October |
42°F (5°C) |
2.1 in |
|
| November |
30°F (-1°C) |
3.4 in |
Wettest |
| December |
21°F (-6°C) |
2.9 in |
|
Elko has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 18°F in January to 61°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.4") and August the driest (1.6").