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Weather & Climate in Inchelium, WA

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

Inchelium experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 274 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 19.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.4 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 2,906 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,906 ft (886 m)
Area10.3 sq mi (26.6 km²)
Population Density15/sq mi
Coordinates48.3637°N, 118.2456°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyFerry County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.9"
48% below US avg
Snowfall 43.4"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.20"
Driest Month (Sep) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability91.2 / 100
Community Resilience11.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

118 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 121 km 10 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 58 km 9 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 98 km 4 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 118 km 1 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 99 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 137 km 17 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 126 km 11 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 90 km 5 km
Jan 26, 1992 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.7 138 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 142 km 9 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 121 km 7 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 139 km 5 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 96 km 10 km
Aug 20, 1990 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada M3.3 150 km -1 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 105 km 13 km
Oct 27, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.3 136 km 7 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 98 km 0 km
Apr 24, 2015 7 km SW of Hope, Idaho M3.3 140 km 10 km
Apr 20, 2025 8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington M3.2 104 km 15 km
Mar 16, 2000 1 km WSW of Coulee City, Washington M3.2 116 km 1 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: EF3. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 71 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 28 km 1.0 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 66 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 30 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 59 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 30 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 59 km 5.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 79 km 5.0 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 88 km 12.0 mi 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 38 km 0.2 mi 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 30 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF1 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 94 km 0.0 mi 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 79 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 10, 2023 EF0 78 km 0.9 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 — 24 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 61 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m — 24 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m — 24 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 64 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m — 24 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 52 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 24 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological — — 24 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH STAR (218,547 acres, 2015).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 52 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 96 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 82 km
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 87 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 81 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 83 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 37 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 76 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 14 km
2015 STICKPIN 54,119 55 km
2019 WILLIAMS FLATS 44,680 47 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 52 km
2001 ST MARYS 34,914 81 km
1985 BARKER MT 32,839 87 km
2021 WALKER CREEK 26,165 77 km
2014 DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX 25,988 35 km
2012 APACHE PASS 25,101 93 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 83 km
2008 COLUMBIA RIVER ROAD 22,628 73 km
1988 WHITE MOUNTAIN 21,855 28 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 1.7 in
February 31°F (-0°C) 1.3 in
March 38°F (4°C) 1.4 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.3 in
May 54°F (12°C) 1.8 in
June 60°F (16°C) 1.5 in
July 71°F (21°C) 1.0 in Warmest
August 67°F (19°C) 1.0 in
September 58°F (14°C) 0.9 in Driest
October 47°F (8°C) 1.0 in
November 35°F (2°C) 2.0 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 2.2 in Coldest, Wettest

Inchelium has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and September the driest (0.9").

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