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Weather & Climate in Clayton, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clayton 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 5,819 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 | 5,819 ft (1,774 m) |
| Area | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 267/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.2592°N, 114.3831°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 103 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
1,743 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Stanley, Idaho | M6.5 | 63 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 139 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 35 km | 9 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M4.9 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 18 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 40 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.8 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.6 | 65 km | 8 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 43 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2020 | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 63 km | 6 km |
| May 14, 2020 | 31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 68 km | 13 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 40 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 1992 | 17 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 63 km | 7 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 38 km | 7 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho | M4.3 | 23 km | 7 km |
| Aug 13, 1998 | 3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho | M4.2 | 30 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
4 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 24, 1984 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2018 | EF0 | 83 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2014 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2008 | EF0 | 33 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 (117 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Craters of the Moon | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,005 m (6,578 ft) | -130 | 117 km |
| Black Butte Crater Lava Field | Shield | 1,478 m (4,849 ft) | -8400 | 120 km |
| Hell's Half Acre | Shield | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | -3250 | 176 km |
| Wapi Lava Field | Shield | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) | -300 | 180 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 | 97 km |
| 2012 | HALSTEAD | 190,156 | 52 km |
| 2016 | PIONEER | 189,596 | 97 km |
| 1994 | IDAHO CITY COMPLEX (RABBIT CREEK) | 150,456 | 90 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER CREEK | 111,286 | 74 km |
| 2021 | BOUNDARY | 97,995 | 74 km |
| 2018 | SHARPS | 63,895 | 85 km |
| 1987 | DEADWOOD | 57,051 | 85 km |
| 2000 | SALMON CHALLIS WILDERNESS COMPLEX (LITTLE PISTOL) | 53,790 | 84 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (SHOWER BATH) | 50,967 | 45 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (RED BLUFF) | 50,106 | 72 km |
| 2007 | CASTLE ROCK | 48,430 | 67 km |
| 1989 | SMOKEY CREEK | 47,682 | 93 km |
| 2005 | VALLEY ROAD | 40,801 | 34 km |
| 2022 | ROSS FORK | 40,690 | 59 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH BARKER WFU | 36,091 | 88 km |
| 2006 | MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX | 33,860 | 51 km |
| 2018 | RABBIT FOOT | 33,787 | 67 km |
| 2000 | TRAIL CREEK | 33,548 | 82 km |
| 2006 | RED MOUNTAIN | 33,403 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 34°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 42°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 40°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 18°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.7") and October the driest (0.9").