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Weather & Climate in Elk City, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elk City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 270 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 30.6 inches. The area receives 119.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 4,101 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,101 ft (1,250 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 108/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8209°N, 115.4411°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Idaho County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 99 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
200 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Apr 11, 1995 | 20 km SSE of Yellow Pine, Idaho | M4.2 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2020 | 35 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.9 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Nov 8, 1997 | 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho | M3.8 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 137 km | 10 km |
| May 30, 1992 | 54 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M3.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 36 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.7 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2023 | 11 km S of Donnelly, Idaho | M3.7 | 142 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 2021 | 44 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.7 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jun 1, 2020 | 44 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.7 | 141 km | 11 km |
| Apr 4, 2020 | 38 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.7 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2020 | 45 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.6 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 43 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.6 | 142 km | 14 km |
| Apr 19, 2021 | 46 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.6 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Aug 6, 2023 | 37 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M3.6 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 30 km SSE of Yellow Pine, Idaho | M3.5 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 2002 | 9 km NW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 1996 | 55 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M3.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 1995 | 32 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M3.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2020 | 35 km NNW of Stanley, Idaho | M3.5 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Dec 24, 1999 | 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho | M3.5 | 117 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 1975 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2010 | EF0 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2010 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2007 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1979 | EF0 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MUSTANG COMPLEX (377,632 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | MUSTANG COMPLEX | 377,632 | 82 km |
| 2007 | EAST ZONE COMPLEX (RAINES) | 318,724 | 82 km |
| 2000 | DIAMOND COMPLEX (DIAMOND PEAK) | 271,361 | 95 km |
| 1994 | CORRAL CREEK-BLACKWELL COMPLEX | 140,101 | 87 km |
| 1994 | PORPHYRY SOUTH | 129,849 | 68 km |
| 2007 | RATTLESNAKE | 102,523 | 33 km |
| 2015 | TEPEE SPRINGS | 94,878 | 77 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLINE | 93,699 | 55 km |
| 2000 | FLOSSIE COMPLEX | 90,611 | 51 km |
| 2000 | BURGDORF JUNCTION | 67,284 | 52 km |
| 2007 | POE CABIN | 59,704 | 82 km |
| 2012 | SHEEP | 50,769 | 65 km |
| 1996 | SALT COMPLEX (SALT CREEK) | 50,250 | 92 km |
| 2007 | KRASSEL COMPLEX (TAG WFU) | 49,358 | 66 km |
| 2012 | PORCUPINE COMPLEX | 48,980 | 40 km |
| 2015 | KAMIAH GULCH | 48,459 | 70 km |
| 1988 | GOLDEN | 48,138 | 87 km |
| 2012 | MCGUIRE COMPLEX | 47,257 | 21 km |
| 2021 | DIXIE | 45,254 | 32 km |
| 1988 | SLIVER CREEK | 45,076 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 42°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
Elk City has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 22°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (1.3").