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Weather & Climate in Curlew Lake, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Curlew Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 274 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 18.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 2,346 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 43.8°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,346 ft (715 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 139/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.7329°N, 118.6682°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Ferry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 93 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively 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 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
118 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington | M4.6 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 54 km | 9 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 118 km | 11 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 67 km | 1 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 87 km | 10 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Jul 19, 2025 | 34 km W of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.4 | 123 km | 7 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 14, 2004 | 2 km S of Manson, Washington | M3.3 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Oct 27, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.3 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Aug 20, 1990 | 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada | M3.3 | 129 km | -1 km |
| Apr 20, 2025 | 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington | M3.2 | 62 km | 15 km |
| Jul 31, 2001 | 2 km WNW of Town and Country, Washington | M3.2 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Feb 28, 2001 | 6 km SSW of Chelan Falls, Washington | M3.2 | 149 km | -1 km |
| Apr 13, 2025 | 7 km NW of Tonasket, Washington | M3.2 | 61 km | 15 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.2 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Coulee City, Washington | M3.2 | 134 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 67 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 67 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2008 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1997 | EF0 | 72 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 | — | 42 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 104 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 43 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 42 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 113 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 42 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 101 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 42 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 42 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (193 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 193 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
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 | 41 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 85 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 57 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 80 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (SPUR PEAK) | 115,123 | 97 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 89 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 96 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 87 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 72 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 100 km |
| 2021 | SUMMIT TRAIL | 54,855 | 44 km |
| 2015 | STICKPIN | 54,119 | 23 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 85 km |
| 2021 | CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE | 37,393 | 67 km |
| 2001 | VIRGINIA L | 35,780 | 88 km |
| 2001 | ST MARYS | 34,914 | 69 km |
| 1985 | BARKER MT | 32,839 | 46 km |
| 2021 | WALKER CREEK | 26,165 | 31 km |
| 2014 | DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX | 25,988 | 52 km |
| 2008 | COLUMBIA RIVER ROAD | 22,628 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Curlew Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 21°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and September the driest (1.1").