Weather & Climate in Butte City, ID

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

Butte City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 69°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 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. 85% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,314 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	43.7°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,314 ft (1,620 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	571/sq mi
Coordinates	43.6070°N, 113.2407°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Pocatello Regional (PIH) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 23.8"

Wettest Month (May) 1.26"

Driest Month (Oct) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	84.9%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	4.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	45.7 / 100
Community Resilience	13.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

485 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.

Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	136 km	16 km
Jan 3, 2015	9 km E of Challis, Idaho	M5.0	122 km	9 km
Jun 7, 1994	18 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	116 km	5 km
Apr 13, 2014	15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	142 km	4 km
May 4, 1992	20 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.6	116 km	10 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	135 km	14 km
Apr 14, 2014	13 km NW of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	141 km	7 km
Dec 28, 1991	southern Idaho	M4.4	127 km	5 km
May 6, 1992	17 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	115 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	145 km	12 km
Mar 22, 1992	11 km NE of Challis, Idaho	M4.3	131 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	24 km E of Clayton, Idaho	M4.3	101 km	7 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	123 km	12 km
Aug 13, 1998	3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho	M4.2	124 km	5 km
Jan 27, 2025	26 km NW of Clayton, Idaho	M4.2	145 km	9 km
Jun 7, 1994	21 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.1	119 km	5 km
Jun 23, 1992	10 km NE of Clayton, Idaho	M4.0	118 km	10 km
Apr 10, 2014	11 km NW of Challis, Idaho	M4.0	139 km	7 km
Aug 26, 1999	21 km NW of Lima, Montana	M4.0	136 km	12 km
Aug 3, 1996	7 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.0	124 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 17, 1990	EF2	98 km	4.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1978	EF2	98 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 2018	EF1	41 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 2002	EF1	88 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	78 km	14.0 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	95 km	12.0 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	93 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1999	EF1	89 km	2.5 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	65 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1992	EF1	98 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 1992	EF1	15 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 17, 1988	EF1	90 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1988	EF1	90 km	15.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF1	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1987	EF1	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 1986	EF1	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF1	49 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF1	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 1959	EF1	95 km	0.4 mi	0
May 18, 1956	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Craters of the Moon (30 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	30 km
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	65 km
Wapi Lava Field	Shield	1,604 m (5,262 ft)	-300	81 km
Black Butte Crater Lava Field	Shield	1,478 m (4,849 ft)	-8400	101 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COXS WELL (219,424 acres, 1996).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1996	COXS WELL	219,424	49 km
2006	CRYSTAL	218,581	56 km
1996	RICHFIELDS	178,385	84 km
1992	BLACK RIDGE	147,833	74 km
1999	MULE BUTTE	138,102	63 km
2010	JEFFERSON	108,542	55 km
2019	SHEEP	107,233	42 km
2012	FLAT TOP 2	102,340	85 km
2000	COFFEE POINT	73,480	54 km
2018	SHARPS	63,895	66 km
2000	FLATTOP	56,792	70 km
2017	MAMMOTH CAVE	50,391	92 km
1999	CEDAR BUTTE	49,625	45 km
2007	CASTLE ROCK	48,430	99 km
2011	T17	45,631	45 km
2005	RUPERT	45,361	76 km
1999	INEEL FIRE	43,547	51 km
2016	LAIDLAW	40,551	57 km
2003	DEEP	38,701	98 km
2000	COFFEE POINT NORTH	35,980	15 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	1.0 in	Coldest
February	22°F (-5°C)	1.0 in
March	32°F (0°C)	0.8 in
April	41°F (5°C)	0.8 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.3 in	Wettest
June	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
July	69°F (21°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.8 in
September	57°F (14°C)	0.8 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.6 in	Driest
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.9 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	1.1 in

Butte City has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 19°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.3") and October the driest (0.6").

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