Weather & Climate in Garfield, WA

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

Garfield 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 17 / among the cleanest air in the country. 90% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,496 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	48.1°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,496 ft (761 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	623/sq mi
Coordinates	47.0102°N, 117.1395°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Spokane County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	17.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	90.2%
Unhealthy Days	0

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

100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991	7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.3	145 km	9 km
Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	115 km	2 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	144 km	11 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	78 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	77 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho	M3.9	145 km	17 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	56 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	138 km	9 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	111 km	1 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	115 km	2 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	123 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	80 km	10 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	94 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	114 km	2 km
Nov 2, 1996	4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana	M3.4	145 km	5 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	92 km	17 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	119 km	0 km
May 10, 2000	Idaho-Montana border region	M3.3	115 km	2 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	145 km	8 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	78 km	0 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	19 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	76 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	73 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	52 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	50 km	0.5 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	98 km	5.0 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	41 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	61 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	62 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	79 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	78 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	73 km	2.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2016	EF0	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	79 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 5, 2011	EF0	54 km	0.0 mi	0
May 21, 2004	EF0	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 1999	EF0	88 km	0.1 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	—	129 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	111 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	125 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LICK CREEK (80,376 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	90 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	89 km
2015	FISHER	20,757	94 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,401	99 km
2021	BEDROCK	11,998	69 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	86 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	48 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	70 km
2016	FLETCHER ROAD	9,380	98 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	61 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	73 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	83 km
2022	WAGNER ROAD	8,155	57 km
2015	GILMORE GULCH	8,074	96 km
2016	SPOKANE COMPLEX	6,839	55 km
1997	POW WAH KEE	6,418	73 km
2022	RIPARIA	5,631	68 km
2016	PALOUSE FALLS	5,305	88 km
1992	TUCANNON	3,693	81 km
1996	UNNAMED	3,523	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	2.8 in
February	34°F (1°C)	2.2 in
March	39°F (4°C)	2.2 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.8 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.0 in
June	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
July	68°F (20°C)	0.9 in	Warmest, Driest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.0 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.1 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.5 in
November	36°F (2°C)	2.8 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	3.1 in	Coldest, Wettest

Garfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 29°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (0.9").

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