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Weather & Climate in Fairfield, WA

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

Fairfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 31°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 18.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 2,579 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,579 ft (786 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density979/sq mi
Coordinates47.3848°N, 117.1748°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySpokane County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 26.2"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.76"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score90.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability21.0 / 100
Community Resilience75.8 / 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

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

Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 106 km 2 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 38 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 37 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 109 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 97 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 103 km 9 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 102 km 1 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 105 km 2 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 89 km 5 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 113 km 17 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 40 km 10 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 140 km 1 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 128 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 103 km 2 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 96 km 5 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 125 km 5 km
Apr 24, 2015 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho M3.3 109 km 10 km
May 10, 2000 Idaho-Montana border region M3.3 105 km 2 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 38 km 0 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 104 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 31, 1997 EF2 70 km 5.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF2 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 53 km 0.5 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 11 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 16 km 0.5 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 84 km 3.4 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 58 km 5.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 78 km 2.0 mi 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 38 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 30 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 66 km 0.1 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 74 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 61 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 42 km 0.0 mi 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 85 km 0.0 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 32 km 2.1 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 40 km 0.6 mi 0
Aug 9, 2016 EF0 45 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 42 km 0.2 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 — 101 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 80 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 93 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SWANSON LAKE (18,941 acres, 2008).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2008 SWANSON LAKE 18,941 99 km
2021 FORD CORKSCREW 16,179 73 km
2021 DECEITFUL 12,750 95 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 64 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 68 km
2016 SNAKE RIVER FIRE 10,349 88 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 41 km
2016 CAYUSE MTN 9,744 83 km
2014 WATERMELON HILL 9,321 46 km
2015 LOWER FLAT 9,034 91 km
2022 WAGNER ROAD 8,155 64 km
2016 SPOKANE COMPLEX 6,839 15 km
1991 UNNAMED 6,024 100 km
2022 RIPARIA 5,631 98 km
2005 WALL LAKE 5,373 97 km
1991 UNNAMED 5,297 78 km
2015 NORTH GRIZZLY 5,286 87 km
2018 ANGEL SPRINGS 4,718 77 km
2023 RIDGE CREEK 4,608 69 km
2018 SURPRISE CREEK 3,746 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-1°C) 2.5 in
February 33°F (0°C) 1.9 in
March 39°F (4°C) 1.8 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in
May 53°F (12°C) 1.7 in
June 59°F (15°C) 1.5 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.8 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
September 58°F (14°C) 0.9 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.3 in
November 36°F (2°C) 2.6 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 2.8 in Coldest, Wettest

Fairfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 29°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.8").

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