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Weather & Climate in Central Kootenay B, BC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Central Kootenay B has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 262 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 41.0 inches. The area receives 22.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,788 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 39.3°F |
| 27% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 262 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,788 ft (545 m) |
| Area | 623.6 sq mi (1,615.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 8/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.5724°N, 117.2288°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Feb 5, 2023 | British Columbia, Canada | M3.9 | 71 km | 1 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Oct 27, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.3 | 28 km | 7 km |
| Aug 20, 1990 | 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada | M3.3 | 24 km | -1 km |
| Feb 15, 2020 | 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada | M3.2 | 38 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.2 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Aug 29, 1997 | 12 km N of Troy, Montana | M3.1 | 148 km | 19 km |
| Oct 23, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.0 | 28 km | 7 km |
| Mar 19, 1998 | 31 km SSW of Nakusp, Canada | M3.0 | 66 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 1994 | 31 km ENE of Osoyoos, Canada | M2.9 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 16 km SE of Invermere, Canada | M2.9 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 31 km N of Nelson, Canada | M2.8 | 24 km | 19 km |
| May 1, 2003 | 14 km NE of Kootenai, Idaho | M2.8 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2016 | 29 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada | M2.8 | 91 km | 3 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 32 km ENE of Nelson, Canada | M2.8 | 26 km | 20 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 26 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada | M2.8 | 87 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 1995 | 35 km NNW of Creston, Canada | M2.7 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 1999 | 10 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M2.7 | 35 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2004 | 4 km NNW of Grand Forks, Canada | M2.7 | 105 km | 1 km |
| Sep 30, 2024 | 19 km NNE of Kootenai, Idaho | M2.7 | 133 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 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 | — | 130 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 130 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 130 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 130 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 130 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 130 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RUSSELL MOUNTAIN (26,130 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 98 km |
| 2018 | HORNS MOUNTAIN | 6,890 | 89 km |
| 2017 | NOISY CREEK | 5,452 | 85 km |
| 2015 | PARKER RIDGE | 4,773 | 89 km |
| 2017 | NORTH FORK HUGHES | 4,628 | 77 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES 32 COMPLEX | 4,536 | 80 km |
| 2003 | BLACK CANYON | 2,403 | 83 km |
| 2022 | THOR | 2,099 | 84 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,909 | 80 km |
| 2022 | SLATE CREEK | 1,263 | 70 km |
| 2018 | SMITH CREEK | 1,114 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 53°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 5.0 in |
Central Kootenay B has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 21°F in January to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.2") and August the driest (2.2").