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Weather & Climate in De Smet, ID

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

De Smet experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 276 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 28.5 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 2,679 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,679 ft (817 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density140/sq mi
Coordinates47.1410°N, 116.9114°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyBenewah County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.5"
25% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score19.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability52.1 / 100
Community Resilience18.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

91 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 93 km 2 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 71 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 70 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 126 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 68 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 118 km 9 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 89 km 1 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 93 km 2 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 103 km 5 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 138 km 0 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 73 km 10 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 113 km 17 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 150 km 1 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 74 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 92 km 2 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 122 km 5 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 72 km 0 km
May 10, 2000 Idaho-Montana border region M3.3 93 km 2 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 84 km 13 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 92 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

30 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 31, 1997 EF2 85 km 5.0 mi 0
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 41 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 98 km 1.0 mi 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 83 km 9.1 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 44 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 48 km 0.5 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 91 km 5.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 45 km 2.0 mi 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 69 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 61 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 46 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 72 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 75 km 0.0 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 74 km 0.6 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 65 km 2.1 mi 0
Aug 9, 2016 EF0 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 76 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 65 km 0.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 133 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 112 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 126 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FISHER (20,757 acres, 2015).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2015 FISHER 20,757 99 km
2021 DECEITFUL 12,750 89 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 97 km
2021 BEDROCK 11,998 72 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 98 km
2016 SNAKE RIVER FIRE 10,349 68 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 72 km
2014 WATERMELON HILL 9,321 70 km
2015 LOWER FLAT 9,034 94 km
2021 SILCOTT 8,864 90 km
2007 UNNAMED 8,547 99 km
2022 WAGNER ROAD 8,155 74 km
2016 SPOKANE COMPLEX 6,839 48 km
1997 POW WAH KEE 6,418 91 km
2015 CHICADEE 5,766 92 km
2022 RIPARIA 5,631 91 km
2015 NORTH GRIZZLY 5,286 88 km
2023 RIDGE CREEK 4,608 83 km
2021 BENTON RIDGE 4,400 90 km
2018 SURPRISE CREEK 3,746 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 3.3 in
February 33°F (0°C) 2.6 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.5 in
April 44°F (7°C) 2.1 in
May 51°F (11°C) 2.2 in
June 58°F (14°C) 1.9 in
July 67°F (19°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 65°F (18°C) 1.1 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.3 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.7 in
November 35°F (2°C) 3.2 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 3.4 in Coldest, Wettest

De Smet has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 28°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (0.9").

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