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Weather & Climate in Clayton, WA

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

Clayton 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 2,286 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

Elevation2,286 ft (697 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density171/sq mi
Coordinates48.0012°N, 117.5612°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyStevens County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"
44% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.03"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.94"

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

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

Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 113 km 9 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 146 km 2 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 37 km 4 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 89 km 17 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 38 km 10 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 142 km 5 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 90 km 9 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 144 km 1 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 146 km 2 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 83 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 142 km 2 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 35 km 10 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 143 km 5 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 129 km 1 km
Apr 24, 2015 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho M3.3 91 km 10 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 143 km 5 km
May 10, 2000 Idaho-Montana border region M3.3 146 km 2 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 42 km 13 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 37 km 0 km
Mar 16, 2000 1 km WSW of Coulee City, Washington M3.2 138 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 77 km 0.1 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF2 75 km 5.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF2 53 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 38 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 78 km 1.0 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 64 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 65 km 0.5 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 50 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 76 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 76 km 1.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 17 km 5.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 95 km 12.0 mi 0
May 29, 1994 EF1 84 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 40 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 58 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 64 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 10 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 57 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1978 EF1 79 km 1.9 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 25 km 0.1 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 — 77 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 63 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 77 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 77 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 42 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 77 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 46 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 77 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 77 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITNEY (127,930 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 87 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 40 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 77 km
2019 WILLIAMS FLATS 44,680 70 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 99 km
2014 DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX 25,988 89 km
2012 APACHE PASS 25,101 91 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 62 km
1988 WHITE MOUNTAIN 21,855 93 km
1996 LINCOLN 19,376 98 km
2008 SWANSON LAKE 18,941 71 km
2007 MANILA CREEK 16,248 91 km
2021 FORD CORKSCREW 16,179 14 km
2015 RENNER 13,975 96 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 27 km
2020 KEWA FIELD 11,811 59 km
2012 BUFFALO LAKE ROAD 11,260 100 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 27 km
2003 RATTLESNAKE CANYON 10,655 64 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 2.4 in
February 30°F (-1°C) 1.9 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.6 in
May 52°F (11°C) 1.9 in
June 59°F (15°C) 1.6 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 65°F (18°C) 1.0 in
September 56°F (14°C) 1.1 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.3 in
November 34°F (1°C) 2.9 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 3.0 in Coldest, Wettest

Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 26°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.0") and July the driest (0.9").

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