Weather & Climate in Athol, ID

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Athol has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 24.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 2,393 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	45.0°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,393 ft (729 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density	722/sq mi
Coordinates	47.9470°N, 116.7078°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Kootenai County County
Nearest Airport	Spokane International (GEG) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.7"

35% below US avg

Snowfall 27.2"

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.82"

Driest Month (Jul) 1.10"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	79.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.4 / 100
Community Resilience	46.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

94 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Dec 22, 1998	Idaho-Montana border region	M4.7	112 km	12 km
Mar 22, 2006	8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana	M4.3	148 km	8 km
Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	87 km	2 km
Jan 20, 1998	15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana	M4.0	123 km	7 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	59 km	4 km
Apr 24, 2015	8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho	M3.9	37 km	17 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	59 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	33 km	9 km
Aug 19, 1999	12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana	M3.7	130 km	14 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	87 km	2 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	87 km	1 km
Oct 26, 1999	23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana	M3.6	135 km	12 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	21 km	5 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	103 km	5 km
Dec 15, 2012	19 km S of Troy, Montana	M3.4	73 km	1 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	59 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	83 km	2 km
May 14, 2014	5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana	M3.4	122 km	15 km
Nov 2, 1996	4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana	M3.4	80 km	5 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	60 km	0 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 31, 1997	EF2	13 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 9, 1991	EF2	30 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 1978	EF2	41 km	0.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	64 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	76 km	0.5 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	62 km	5.0 mi	0
May 29, 1994	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	46 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1981	EF1	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 19, 1978	EF1	37 km	1.9 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	71 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	58 km	2.1 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	69 km	0.6 mi	0
Aug 9, 2016	EF0	76 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	71 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 25, 2004	EF0	64 km	4.0 mi	0
May 21, 2004	EF0	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 1999	EF0	59 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1952	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	127 km
1949	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	124 km
2024	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	14.3 m	—	127 km
1944	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.1 m	—	127 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	100 km
1953	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	4.8 m	—	127 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	108 km
1953	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	—	—	127 km
1952	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	—	—	127 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RUSSELL MOUNTAIN (26,130 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	RUSSELL MOUNTAIN	26,130	99 km
2015	TOWER	24,779	68 km
2021	FORD CORKSCREW	16,179	75 km
2021	SOUTH YAAK	12,866	94 km
2021	DECEITFUL	12,750	66 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,401	80 km
2015	SOUTH BOBTAIL	11,256	72 km
2023	OREGON	10,957	37 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	86 km
2016	CAYUSE MTN	9,744	100 km
2015	NAPOLEON 1	9,727	66 km
2015	LOWER FLAT	9,034	46 km
2018	COUGAR	8,708	56 km
2021	TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX	7,117	56 km
2016	SPOKANE COMPLEX	6,839	67 km
2017	CUB CREEK	5,683	90 km
1991	UNNAMED	5,297	79 km
2015	NORTH GRIZZLY	5,286	50 km
2015	GOAT ROCK COMPLEX	5,210	87 km
1994	LIBBY COMPLEX (SCENERY)	5,160	91 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	3.5 in
February	31°F (-1°C)	2.7 in
March	37°F (3°C)	2.2 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.2 in
June	59°F (15°C)	2.1 in
July	65°F (18°C)	1.1 in	Driest
August	65°F (18°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
September	56°F (13°C)	1.3 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
November	34°F (1°C)	3.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	3.8 in	Coldest, Wettest

Athol has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 27°F in December to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 27.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.8") and July the driest (1.1").

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