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Weather & Climate in Chewelah, WA

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

Chewelah experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 269 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 21.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 1,683 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.3°F
14% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,683 ft (513 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density865/sq mi
Coordinates48.2826°N, 117.7169°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyStevens County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"
44% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.87"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability58.7 / 100
Community Resilience38.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

85 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 96 km 9 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 70 km 4 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 97 km 17 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 71 km 10 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 109 km 5 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 102 km 9 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 99 km 5 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 137 km 1 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 69 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho M3.3 100 km 10 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 70 km 0 km
Oct 27, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.3 137 km 7 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 68 km 13 km
Apr 20, 2025 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 143 km 15 km
Mar 16, 2000 1 km WSW of Coulee City, Washington M3.2 141 km 1 km
Apr 13, 2025 7 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 142 km 15 km
Mar 3, 1998 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.2 106 km 5 km
Feb 15, 2020 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada M3.2 139 km 10 km
Jul 31, 2001 2 km WNW of Town and Country, Washington M3.2 64 km 0 km
May 15, 2025 9 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.1 143 km 15 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

40 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 84 km 0.1 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF2 96 km 5.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF2 62 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 45 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 45 km 1.0 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 97 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 98 km 0.5 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 65 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 43 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 94 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 94 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 43 km 1.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 50 km 5.0 mi 0
May 29, 1994 EF1 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 72 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 90 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 31 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 24 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1978 EF1 85 km 1.9 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

9 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 — 45 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 70 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 45 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 45 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 58 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 45 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 54 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 45 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 45 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH STAR (218,547 acres, 2015).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 92 km
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 98 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 38 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 54 km
2015 STICKPIN 54,119 80 km
2019 WILLIAMS FLATS 44,680 67 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 87 km
2014 DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX 25,988 72 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 48 km
1988 WHITE MOUNTAIN 21,855 65 km
2008 SWANSON LAKE 18,941 82 km
2007 MANILA CREEK 16,248 83 km
2021 FORD CORKSCREW 16,179 39 km
2015 RENNER 13,975 63 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 54 km
2020 KEWA FIELD 11,811 46 km
2012 BUFFALO LAKE ROAD 11,260 94 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 50 km
2003 RATTLESNAKE CANYON 10,655 68 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 2.2 in Coldest
February 31°F (-1°C) 1.7 in
March 39°F (4°C) 1.8 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in
May 54°F (12°C) 1.9 in
June 61°F (16°C) 1.5 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 67°F (19°C) 1.0 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.1 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.2 in
November 35°F (2°C) 2.6 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 2.9 in Wettest

Chewelah has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 27°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.9").

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