Weather & Climate in Elko, NV

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

Elko experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 322 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 10.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 23 / among the cleanest air in the country. 87% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,112 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	47.8°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	322 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,112 ft (1,558 m)
Area	17.9 sq mi (46.2 km²)
Population Density	1,155/sq mi
Coordinates	40.8381°N, 115.7678°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Elko County County
Nearest Airport	Elko Regional (EKO) 2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.0"

74% below US avg

Snowfall 41.2"

Wettest Month (May) 1.46"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	23.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	87.1%
Unhealthy Days	1

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	28.5 / 100
Community Resilience	3.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

512 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.9.

Feb 21, 2008	8 km ENE of Wells, Nevada	M5.9	83 km	8 km
Feb 21, 2008	10 km ENE of Wells, Nevada	M5.1	85 km	0 km
Aug 30, 2025	51 km NE of Valmy, Nevada	M4.8	87 km	8 km
Feb 22, 2008	4 km ENE of Wells, Nevada	M4.8	78 km	11 km
Aug 31, 2021	25 km S of Wells, Nevada	M4.7	67 km	7 km
Feb 21, 2008	5 km E of Wells, Nevada	M4.6	79 km	7 km
Feb 21, 2008	4 km NE of Wells, Nevada	M4.6	78 km	13 km
May 16, 1997	43 km ESE of Lamoille, Nevada	M4.4	71 km	5 km
Apr 17, 1997	34 km E of Crescent Valley, Nevada	M4.3	63 km	5 km
Feb 22, 2008	5 km E of Wells, Nevada	M4.3	79 km	12 km
Oct 8, 2001	36 km NNW of Osino, Nevada	M4.3	44 km	0 km
Feb 23, 2008	9 km NE of Wells, Nevada	M4.3	83 km	11 km
Feb 21, 2008	5 km ENE of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	79 km	5 km
Feb 24, 2008	6 km E of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	81 km	0 km
Feb 27, 2008	13 km NE of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	88 km	9 km
Feb 27, 2008	6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	79 km	9 km
Feb 25, 2008	6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	79 km	8 km
Apr 1, 2008	16 km NE of Wells, Nevada	M4.1	90 km	10 km
Aug 30, 2025	61 km NNE of Valmy, Nevada	M4.0	93 km	4 km
Jun 3, 2016	14 km NE of Eureka, Nevada	M4.0	139 km	0 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 24, 2023	EF1	37 km	1.2 mi	0
May 5, 1994	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
May 27, 1987	EF1	24 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 19, 1979	EF1	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1977	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1962	EF1	86 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 13, 2021	EF0	20 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2018	EF0	100 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 31, 2014	EF0	54 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 2014	EF0	1 km	0.3 mi	0
May 21, 2014	EF0	3 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2012	EF0	30 km	0.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2009	EF0	97 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 20, 2009	EF0	83 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 2004	EF0	25 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 8, 1998	EF0	73 km	1.0 mi	0
May 16, 1996	EF0	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1993	EF0	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 8, 1992	EF0	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 4, 1991	EF0	16 km	0.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SOUTH SUGARLOAF (241,426 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	SOUTH SUGARLOAF	241,426	100 km
2017	ROOSTERS COMB	217,510	74 km
1999	SADLER COMPLEX	183,908	57 km
2006	CHARLESTON	154,036	72 km
2006	SHEEP	153,116	77 km
2016	HOT POT	120,015	98 km
2011	INDIAN CREEK	115,891	51 km
2006	AMAZON	105,310	88 km
2005	ESMERALDA	101,118	75 km
2001	SHEEP	85,110	87 km
2006	SUZIE	81,760	22 km
2001	BUFFALO COMPLEX (HOT LAKE)	73,798	83 km
2000	NORTHEAST ELKO COUNTY ZONE (COUNTY ZONE)	67,886	96 km
2007	RED HOUSE COMPLEX	65,594	27 km
2018	SHEEP CREEK	58,483	86 km
1999	FRENCHIE	55,277	66 km
2011	CHUKKAR CANYON	50,449	45 km
1999	ROSE	48,365	50 km
2006	BASCO	47,655	29 km
2012	WILLOW	43,612	74 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	1.3 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.1 in
May	51°F (10°C)	1.5 in	Wettest
June	60°F (16°C)	1.2 in
July	72°F (22°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.6 in
September	59°F (15°C)	0.7 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	36°F (2°C)	1.4 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	1.3 in

Elko has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.5") and July the driest (0.5").

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