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Weather & Climate in Curlew, WA

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

Curlew 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 1,795 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,795 ft (547 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density178/sq mi
Coordinates48.8777°N, 118.6045°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyFerry County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
100 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.1"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 52.5"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.20"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.10"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability91.2 / 100
Community Resilience11.6 / 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

104 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 110 km 10 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 70 km 9 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 133 km 11 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 59 km 1 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 37 km 5 km
Jan 26, 1992 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.7 80 km 10 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 109 km 7 km
Jul 19, 2025 34 km W of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.4 118 km 7 km
Oct 27, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.3 101 km 7 km
Aug 20, 1990 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada M3.3 113 km -1 km
Apr 20, 2025 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 68 km 15 km
Mar 3, 1998 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.2 36 km 5 km
Apr 13, 2025 7 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 67 km 15 km
Feb 15, 2020 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada M3.2 143 km 10 km
May 15, 2025 9 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.1 67 km 15 km
Apr 13, 2025 6 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.1 67 km 15 km
Feb 14, 1991 10 km SW of Pateros, Washington M3.1 143 km 7 km
Jan 31, 1999 22 km N of Keller, Washington M3.1 67 km 10 km
Nov 25, 2000 13 km SSE of Oroville, Washington M3.1 54 km 1 km
Apr 16, 2025 9 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.1 69 km 15 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 48 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 83 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 83 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 51 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 51 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 68 km 0.2 mi 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 25, 2008 EF0 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 26, 1997 EF0 84 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 — 48 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 119 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 48 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 48 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 127 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 48 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 114 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 48 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 48 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 57 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 100 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 70 km
2015 LIMEBELT 137,098 90 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 100 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 88 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 58 km
2015 STICKPIN 54,119 15 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 83 km
2001 ST MARYS 34,914 83 km
1985 BARKER MT 32,839 54 km
2021 WALKER CREEK 26,165 36 km
2014 DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX 25,988 68 km
2008 COLUMBIA RIVER ROAD 22,628 87 km
1988 WHITE MOUNTAIN 21,855 37 km
2012 ST MARYS MISSION ROAD 21,454 85 km
2020 PALMER 18,015 71 km
1996 TIMBERLINE COMPLEX 17,009 77 km
2023 EAGLE BLUFF 16,499 70 km
2007 MANILA CREEK 16,248 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 1.8 in
February 28°F (-2°C) 1.3 in
March 36°F (2°C) 1.3 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
May 51°F (11°C) 2.1 in
June 58°F (14°C) 2.1 in
July 65°F (19°C) 1.4 in Warmest
August 64°F (18°C) 1.4 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.1 in Driest
October 44°F (6°C) 1.1 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 1.9 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 2.2 in Coldest, Wettest

Curlew has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and September the driest (1.1").

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