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Weather & Climate in Fairchild AFB, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairchild AFB experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 273 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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.2 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 2,434 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,434 ft (742 m) |
| Area | 6.5 sq mi (16.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 456/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.6186°N, 117.6484°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Spokane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
95 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 20 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 114 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 20 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 112 km | 9 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 141 km | 2 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 114 km | 0 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 20 km | 10 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho | M3.4 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2004 | 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington | M3.4 | 114 km | 17 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho | M3.3 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 20 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho | M3.3 | 56 km | 13 km |
| May 10, 2000 | Idaho-Montana border region | M3.3 | 141 km | 2 km |
| May 11, 2001 | 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington | M3.3 | 135 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1971 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1957 | EF2 | 37 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1954 | EF2 | 29 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 41 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 28 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1984 | EF1 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1983 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1970 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | EF0 | 8 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF0 | 23 km | 2.1 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 | — | 112 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 58 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 112 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 112 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 36 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 112 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 49 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 112 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 112 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITNEY (127,930 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | WHITNEY | 127,930 | 69 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 58 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 75 km |
| 2012 | APACHE PASS | 25,101 | 70 km |
| 1996 | LINCOLN | 19,376 | 79 km |
| 2008 | SWANSON LAKE | 18,941 | 57 km |
| 2007 | MANILA CREEK | 16,248 | 97 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 35 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,401 | 22 km |
| 2020 | KEWA FIELD | 11,811 | 80 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 54 km |
| 2003 | RATTLESNAKE CANYON | 10,655 | 63 km |
| 2023 | GRAY | 10,096 | 10 km |
| 2016 | CAYUSE MTN | 9,744 | 39 km |
| 2014 | WATERMELON HILL | 9,321 | 33 km |
| 2022 | WAGNER ROAD | 8,155 | 64 km |
| 2003 | HATTEN ROAD | 7,247 | 67 km |
| 2020 | INCHELIUM HIWAY | 7,046 | 90 km |
| 2016 | SPOKANE COMPLEX | 6,839 | 30 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 6,024 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
Fairchild AFB has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 28°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.3") and August the driest (0.7").