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Weather & Climate in Barstow, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Barstow experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 269 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 20.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 1,387 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,387 ft (423 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 136/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.7783°N, 118.1329°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Ferry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 85 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
118 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington | M4.6 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 133 km | 4 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 93 km | 1 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 141 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Oct 27, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.3 | 90 km | 7 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Aug 20, 1990 | 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada | M3.3 | 104 km | -1 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho | M3.3 | 128 km | 13 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho | M3.3 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2025 | 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington | M3.2 | 101 km | 15 km |
| Feb 15, 2020 | 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada | M3.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jul 31, 2001 | 2 km WNW of Town and Country, Washington | M3.2 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.2 | 43 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 20 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 92 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 92 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 21 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 21 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 34 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2008 | EF0 | 31 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2004 | EF0 | 100 km | 4.0 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 | — | 23 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 108 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 23 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 23 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 109 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 23 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 98 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 23 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 23 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH STAR (218,547 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | NORTH STAR | 218,547 | 72 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 95 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 81 km |
| 2021 | SUMMIT TRAIL | 54,855 | 50 km |
| 2015 | STICKPIN | 54,119 | 21 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 93 km |
| 2021 | CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE | 37,393 | 89 km |
| 1985 | BARKER MT | 32,839 | 86 km |
| 2021 | WALKER CREEK | 26,165 | 69 km |
| 2014 | DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX | 25,988 | 70 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 80 km |
| 1988 | WHITE MOUNTAIN | 21,855 | 37 km |
| 1996 | TIMBERLINE COMPLEX | 17,009 | 100 km |
| 2007 | MANILA CREEK | 16,248 | 95 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 99 km |
| 2007 | TUNK GRADE | 15,007 | 97 km |
| 2015 | RENNER | 13,975 | 5 km |
| 2020 | KEWA FIELD | 11,811 | 68 km |
| 2000 | ROCKY HULL | 9,927 | 90 km |
| 2000 | BUFFALO LAKE | 9,709 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
Barstow has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and September the driest (1.0").