Weather & Climate in Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairwood CDP (Spokane County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 77% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,813 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 49.8°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,813 ft (553 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,616/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.7668°N, 117.4171°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Spokane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 76.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
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
94 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 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 9 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 90 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 10 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 89 km | 9 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 127 km | 2 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 78 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 | 7 km | 10 km |
| Dec 15, 2012 | 19 km S of Troy, Montana | M3.4 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Nov 2, 1996 | 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana | M3.4 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Jun 17, 2004 | 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington | M3.4 | 137 km | 17 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 9 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2000 | Idaho-Montana border region | M3.3 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho | M3.3 | 91 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 64 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1971 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1957 | EF2 | 36 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1954 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 54 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 12 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1984 | EF1 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1983 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1970 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | EF0 | 16 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.0 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 | - | 105 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | - | 71 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | - | 104 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | - | 105 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | - | 46 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | - | 105 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | - | 57 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 105 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 105 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 | 88 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 59 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 84 km |
| 2012 | APACHE PASS | 25,101 | 90 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 82 km |
| 1996 | LINCOLN | 19,376 | 99 km |
| 2008 | SWANSON LAKE | 18,941 | 74 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 29 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,401 | 26 km |
| 2020 | KEWA FIELD | 11,811 | 81 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 30 km |
| 2003 | RATTLESNAKE CANYON | 10,655 | 75 km |
| 2023 | GRAY | 10,096 | 33 km |
| 2016 | CAYUSE MTN | 9,744 | 47 km |
| 2014 | WATERMELON HILL | 9,321 | 55 km |
| 2015 | LOWER FLAT | 9,034 | 96 km |
| 2022 | WAGNER ROAD | 8,155 | 85 km |
| 2003 | HATTEN ROAD | 7,247 | 87 km |
| 2020 | INCHELIUM HIWAY | 7,046 | 87 km |
| 2016 | SPOKANE COMPLEX | 6,839 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.0 in | |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Fairwood CDP (Spokane County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 31°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and August the driest (0.5").