Weather & Climate in Cascade, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cascade has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 86.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 4,818 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.3°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,818 ft (1,469 m) |
| Area | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 237/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.5088°N, 116.0436°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Adams County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.6 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,543 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Stanley, Idaho | M6.5 | 74 km | 12 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M4.9 | 14 km | 12 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.8 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.6 | 70 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2020 | 31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 67 km | 13 km |
| May 21, 2020 | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 72 km | 6 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 72 km | 7 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 26 km NW of Clayton, Idaho | M4.2 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Aug 13, 1998 | 3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho | M4.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 9, 2020 | 11 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.2 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Apr 11, 1995 | 20 km SSE of Yellow Pine, Idaho | M4.2 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 2020 | 10 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.2 | 83 km | 8 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 20 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.1 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Jul 10, 2020 | 18 km SW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.1 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Apr 21, 2020 | 29 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.1 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 1993 | 34 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.1 | 97 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2006 | EF2 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF1 | 79 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1991 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1990 | EF1 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1983 | EF1 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1958 | EF1 | 16 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1956 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2023 | EF0 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2004 | EF0 | 87 km | - | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2002 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2002 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2001 | EF0 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2000 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1997 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1997 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1992 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1992 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1967 | EF0 | 100 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Jordan Craters (189 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Jordan Craters | Volcanic field | 1,473 m (4,833 ft) | -1250 | 189 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST ZONE COMPLEX (RAINES) (318,724 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | EAST ZONE COMPLEX (RAINES) | 318,724 | 71 km |
| 2007 | CASCADE COMPLEX (MONUMENTAL) | 317,157 | 48 km |
| 2012 | HALSTEAD | 190,156 | 84 km |
| 2016 | PIONEER | 189,596 | 55 km |
| 2024 | PADDOCK | 186,842 | 56 km |
| 1994 | IDAHO CITY COMPLEX (RABBIT CREEK) | 150,456 | 82 km |
| 1994 | CORRAL CREEK-BLACKWELL COMPLEX | 140,101 | 72 km |
| 1994 | PORPHYRY SOUTH | 129,849 | 89 km |
| 2020 | WOODHEAD | 98,995 | 63 km |
| 2021 | BOUNDARY | 97,995 | 69 km |
| 2015 | TEPEE SPRINGS | 94,878 | 90 km |
| 2000 | JACKSON | 80,733 | 99 km |
| 1987 | DEADWOOD | 57,051 | 50 km |
| 2006 | CHERRY | 56,773 | 54 km |
| 2000 | SALMON CHALLIS WILDERNESS COMPLEX (LITTLE PISTOL) | 53,790 | 73 km |
| 2006 | FOSTER GULCH | 52,496 | 83 km |
| 2006 | RATTLESNAKE COMPLEX | 48,330 | 33 km |
| 1989 | SMOKEY CREEK | 47,682 | 62 km |
| 1986 | BISSELL CK | 40,847 | 73 km |
| 1986 | VAN DUSEN | 39,901 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.5 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
Cascade has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.5") and August the driest (0.4").