Weather & Climate in Bruneau, ID

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

Bruneau experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 310 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 7.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 2,505 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	55.2°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,505 ft (764 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density	22/sq mi
Coordinates	42.8728°N, 115.7952°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Owyhee County County
Nearest Airport	Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 52 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.4"

81% below US avg

Wettest Month (Nov) 1.06"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	44.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.2 / 100
Community Resilience	1.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Jul 10, 2020	18 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.1	147 km	10 km
Jan 1, 2021	15 km SSW of Stanley, Idaho	M3.9	150 km	3 km
Jun 27, 2020	17 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M3.8	149 km	10 km
Nov 4, 2002	37 km NE of Mountain Home, Idaho	M3.5	67 km	5 km
Jul 23, 2000	64 km ESE of Owyhee, Nevada	M3.3	139 km	0 km
May 23, 2013	55 km E of McDermitt, Nevada	M3.3	143 km	0 km
Jul 10, 2022	23 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M3.1	144 km	10 km
Sep 22, 1990	25 km ESE of Lowman, Idaho	M3.0	128 km	10 km
Jul 22, 2010	47 km NE of Owyhee, Nevada	M3.0	67 km	0 km
Nov 12, 2012	southern Idaho	M2.9	107 km	6 km
Feb 6, 2002	31 km N of Glenns Ferry, Idaho	M2.8	61 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2020	6 km NNE of Lowman, Idaho	M2.8	142 km	19 km
Apr 13, 2021	17 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M2.8	149 km	10 km
Nov 16, 2013	5 km W of Jordan Valley, Oregon	M2.7	109 km	0 km
Apr 14, 2020	16 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M2.7	150 km	10 km
Jul 10, 2020	19 km WSW of Stanley, Idaho	M2.7	149 km	13 km
Apr 2, 2020	14 km NW of Fairfield, Idaho	M2.6	98 km	10 km
Mar 14, 2018	28 km SW of Stanley, Idaho	M2.6	137 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2023	40 km S of Stanley, Idaho	M2.5	127 km	10 km
Apr 13, 2018	62 km NNW of Wells, Nevada	M2.5	145 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

32 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 10, 1990	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 20, 1988	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 10, 1986	EF1	43 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1986	EF1	85 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1985	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 26, 1984	EF1	90 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 21, 1984	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 5, 1961	EF1	74 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 2, 1961	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1956	EF1	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 25, 2024	EF0	41 km	0.6 mi	0
May 27, 2023	EF0	27 km	5.0 mi	0
May 27, 2022	EF0	98 km	3.8 mi	0
May 27, 2019	EF0	42 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 2013	EF0	36 km	3.9 mi	0
Mar 16, 2011	EF0	98 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 21, 2009	EF0	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 3, 2000	EF0	81 km	—	0
Aug 3, 2000	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 3, 2000	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Butte Crater Lava Field (122 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Butte Crater Lava Field	Shield	1,478 m (4,849 ft)	-8400	122 km
Jordan Craters	Volcanic field	1,473 m (4,833 ft)	-1250	139 km
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	196 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MURPHY COMPLEX (567,409 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	MURPHY COMPLEX	567,409	88 km
2010	LONG BUTTE	302,546	61 km
2015	SODA	282,888	100 km
1992	FOOTHILLS	228,631	72 km
2005	CLOVER	199,023	54 km
2012	KINYON ROAD	171,409	59 km
2013	PONY COMPLEX	148,188	58 km
2012	TRINITY RIDGE	141,807	100 km
2013	ELK COMPLEX	129,565	72 km
2018	BRUNEAU	87,679	84 km
1995	TUANA COMPLEX	80,638	58 km
2019	POT HOLE	67,826	41 km
1987	BROWNS CRK	66,024	25 km
2011	BIG HILL	65,416	38 km
1985	CROWS NEST	62,780	50 km
2006	SAILOR CAP	62,699	52 km
1986	BLUE BUTTE	62,445	47 km
2012	JACKS	47,219	41 km
1984	BIG DRAW 2	45,805	10 km
2011	BLAIR	40,086	56 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
February	37°F (3°C)	0.7 in
March	44°F (6°C)	0.8 in
April	50°F (10°C)	0.7 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.7 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.8 in
July	78°F (26°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.3 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	52°F (11°C)	0.5 in
November	40°F (4°C)	1.1 in	Wettest
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.9 in	Coldest

Bruneau has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 31°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (1.1") and July the driest (0.2").

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