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Weather & Climate in Challis, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Challis has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 293 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 6.9 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 5,216 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,216 ft (1,590 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 403/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.5058°N, 114.2283°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 119 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,716 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Stanley, Idaho | M6.5 | 71 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 118 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 9 km | 9 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M4.9 | 150 km | 12 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 18 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 18 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.8 | 77 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 15 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.6 | 77 km | 8 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 20 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 2019 | 9 km NE of Lima, Montana | M4.6 | 138 km | 14 km |
| May 6, 1992 | 17 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 18 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 13 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 77 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2020 | 31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 79 km | 13 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 11 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2020 | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 75 km | 6 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho | M4.3 | 29 km | 7 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 11 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1987 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1984 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1956 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2018 | EF0 | 92 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2014 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2008 | EF0 | 3 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 (134 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Craters of the Moon | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,005 m (6,578 ft) | -130 | 134 km |
| Black Butte Crater Lava Field | Shield | 1,478 m (4,849 ft) | -8400 | 147 km |
| Hell's Half Acre | Shield | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | -3250 | 181 km |
| Wapi Lava Field | Shield | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) | -300 | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIAMOND COMPLEX (DIAMOND PEAK) (271,361 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | DIAMOND COMPLEX (DIAMOND PEAK) | 271,361 | 81 km |
| 2012 | HALSTEAD | 190,156 | 60 km |
| 2000 | CLEAR CREEK DIVIDE COMPLEX (CLEAR CREEK) | 170,322 | 78 km |
| 2022 | MOOSE | 142,221 | 90 km |
| 2021 | BOUNDARY | 97,995 | 76 km |
| 1987 | DEADWOOD | 57,051 | 94 km |
| 2000 | SALMON CHALLIS WILDERNESS COMPLEX (LITTLE PISTOL) | 53,790 | 81 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (SHOWER BATH) | 50,967 | 28 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (RED BLUFF) | 50,106 | 59 km |
| 2007 | CASTLE ROCK | 48,430 | 96 km |
| 1988 | GOLDEN | 48,138 | 88 km |
| 2005 | VALLEY ROAD | 40,801 | 61 km |
| 2022 | ROSS FORK | 40,690 | 89 km |
| 2006 | MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX | 33,860 | 49 km |
| 2018 | RABBIT FOOT | 33,787 | 38 km |
| 2006 | RED MOUNTAIN | 33,403 | 93 km |
| 2023 | HAYDEN | 32,292 | 48 km |
| 1985 | BUTTE | 28,559 | 98 km |
| 2006 | BOUNDARY COMPLEX | 26,628 | 86 km |
| 2003 | MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX (FALCONBERRY) | 26,625 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in |
Challis has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 20°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.2") and February the driest (0.6").