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Weather & Climate in Carey, ID

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

Carey has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 302 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 15.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 80.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 4,785 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average39.1°F
28% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,785 ft (1,458 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.6 km²)
Population Density347/sq mi
Coordinates43.3120°N, 113.9410°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyBlaine County County
Nearest AirportJoslin Field/Magic Valley Regional (TWF)
64 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.0"
61% below US avg
Snowfall 80.3"
Wettest Month (Jan) 1.65"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score65.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability21.5 / 100
Community Resilience27.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

937 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Jan 3, 2015 9 km E of Challis, Idaho M5.0 134 km 9 km
Apr 13, 2014 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho M4.8 149 km 4 km
Jun 7, 1994 18 km E of Challis, Idaho M4.8 131 km 5 km
Apr 1, 2020 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho M4.8 149 km 10 km
May 4, 1992 20 km E of Challis, Idaho M4.6 133 km 10 km
Dec 28, 1991 southern Idaho M4.4 140 km 5 km
May 6, 1992 17 km E of Challis, Idaho M4.4 130 km 5 km
Apr 14, 2014 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho M4.4 147 km 7 km
Jun 8, 2025 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho M4.3 107 km 7 km
Feb 17, 1992 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho M4.3 148 km 5 km
Jan 28, 1995 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho M4.3 148 km 5 km
Mar 22, 1992 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho M4.3 143 km 5 km
Jun 14, 2020 10 km NW of Stanley, Idaho M4.2 139 km 8 km
Aug 13, 1998 3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho M4.2 133 km 5 km
Jan 27, 2025 26 km NW of Clayton, Idaho M4.2 135 km 9 km
Jun 9, 2020 11 km NW of Stanley, Idaho M4.2 140 km 10 km
Apr 11, 2020 20 km NW of Stanley, Idaho M4.1 148 km 10 km
Jun 7, 1994 21 km E of Challis, Idaho M4.1 136 km 5 km
Jul 10, 2020 18 km SW of Stanley, Idaho M4.1 126 km 10 km
Jun 23, 1992 10 km NE of Clayton, Idaho M4.0 117 km 10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

59 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 18, 1991 EF2 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 9, 1990 EF2 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 11, 1968 EF2 68 km 0.5 mi 0
May 31, 2018 EF1 97 km 12.0 mi 0
May 21, 1992 EF1 63 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 10, 1990 EF1 94 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 20, 1988 EF1 77 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 20, 1988 EF1 81 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1987 EF1 28 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 18, 1987 EF1 38 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 24, 1986 EF1 95 km 0.5 mi 0
Sep 8, 1985 EF1 87 km 0.2 mi 0
May 2, 1985 EF1 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 7, 1972 EF1 69 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 5, 1961 EF1 87 km 5.1 mi 0
Jun 5, 1957 EF1 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 3, 1956 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 2019 EF0 84 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 21, 2018 EF0 72 km 5.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 2016 EF0 72 km 1.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Butte Crater Lava Field (36 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Black Butte Crater Lava Field Shield 1,478 m (4,849 ft) -8400 36 km
Craters of the Moon Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,005 m (6,578 ft) -130 38 km
Wapi Lava Field Shield 1,604 m (5,262 ft) -300 76 km
Hell's Half Acre Shield 1,631 m (5,351 ft) -3250 122 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 70 km
2006 CRYSTAL 218,581 68 km
1996 RICHFIELDS 178,385 30 km
1992 BLACK RIDGE 147,833 27 km
1999 MULE BUTTE 138,102 62 km
2013 BEAVER CREEK 111,286 56 km
2012 FLAT TOP 2 102,340 34 km
2000 COFFEE POINT 73,480 90 km
1990 THORN CREEK 70,365 48 km
2018 SHARPS 63,895 26 km
2000 FLATTOP 56,792 78 km
2017 MAMMOTH CAVE 50,391 27 km
1999 CEDAR BUTTE 49,625 93 km
2007 CASTLE ROCK 48,430 58 km
2005 RUPERT 45,361 53 km
2007 RED BRIDGE 44,096 62 km
2022 ROSS FORK 40,690 96 km
2016 LAIDLAW 40,551 29 km
2000 COFFEE POINT NORTH 35,980 75 km
2017 SHOESTRING 35,543 71 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 1.7 in Coldest, Wettest
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.3 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.1 in
April 44°F (7°C) 0.8 in
May 52°F (11°C) 1.2 in
June 61°F (16°C) 1.0 in
July 65°F (19°C) 0.4 in Driest
August 69°F (21°C) 0.6 in Warmest
September 59°F (15°C) 0.7 in
October 48°F (9°C) 0.7 in
November 33°F (1°C) 1.5 in
December 22°F (-5°C) 1.7 in

Carey has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 16°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.7") and July the driest (0.4").

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