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Weather & Climate in Colton, WA

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

Colton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 273 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 17.5 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 2,563 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,563 ft (781 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density469/sq mi
Coordinates46.5675°N, 117.1284°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyGarfield County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.5"
54% below US avg
Wettest Month (Nov) 2.80"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability18.7 / 100
Community Resilience27.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

107 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 112 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 111 km 11 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 144 km 2 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 126 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 126 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 18 km 10 km
Nov 8, 1997 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho M3.8 136 km 5 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 139 km 1 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 143 km 2 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 145 km 20 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 125 km 0 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 114 km 5 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 85 km 17 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 128 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 144 km 2 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 112 km 8 km
May 10, 2000 Idaho-Montana border region M3.3 143 km 2 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 127 km 0 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 143 km 5 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 148 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 43 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 84 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 52 km 1.0 mi 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 31 km 9.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 98 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 72 km 1.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 35 km 2.0 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 21 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 26 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 88 km 0.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 73 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 72 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 29, 2007 EF0 91 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF0 20 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 1, 1991 EF0 18 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 16 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 14, 1986 EF0 57 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 9, 1982 EF0 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MALONEY CREEK (131,397 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 74 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 68 km
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 65 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 45 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 73 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 76 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 66 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 81 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 49 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 60 km
2015 KAMIAH GULCH 48,459 89 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 71 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 60 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 82 km
2000 EASTSIDE COMPLEX (DEEP CREEK) 31,969 99 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 86 km
2015 FISHER 20,757 61 km
2005 TRYON COMPLEX (CHERRY CREEK) 17,794 85 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 100 km
1986 JOSEPH CANYON 1 14,398 62 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 33°F (0°C) 2.6 in
February 34°F (1°C) 2.1 in
March 40°F (4°C) 2.1 in
April 46°F (8°C) 2.0 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.1 in
June 59°F (15°C) 1.6 in
July 67°F (19°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 1.0 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.1 in
October 47°F (9°C) 1.7 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.8 in Wettest
December 30°F (-1°C) 2.5 in Coldest

Colton has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 30°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.9").

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