Weather & Climate in Kettle Falls, WA

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

Kettle Falls 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 1,627 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.9°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,627 ft (496 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density	1,534/sq mi
Coordinates	48.6056°N, 118.0621°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Ferry County County
Nearest Airport	Spokane International (GEG) 72 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.9"

48% below US avg

Snowfall 43.4"

Wettest Month (Dec) 2.40"

Driest Month (Sep) 1.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.2 / 100
Community Resilience	11.6 / 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	137 km	10 km
Sep 1, 2015	15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington	M4.2	78 km	9 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	113 km	4 km
Apr 15, 1991	4 km SE of Pateros, Washington	M3.9	148 km	11 km
Sep 10, 2016	23 km E of Oliver, Canada	M3.9	109 km	1 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	114 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho	M3.9	129 km	17 km
Mar 3, 1998	16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada	M3.8	66 km	5 km
Jan 26, 1992	9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada	M3.7	130 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	136 km	9 km
Jun 24, 1997	16 km NW of Malott, Washington	M3.6	137 km	7 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	137 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	112 km	10 km
Aug 20, 1990	23 km NW of Nelson, Canada	M3.3	120 km	-1 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	113 km	0 km
Apr 24, 2015	7 km SW of Hope, Idaho	M3.3	133 km	10 km
Oct 27, 1991	21 km N of Castlegar, Canada	M3.3	106 km	7 km
Sep 22, 2003	12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho	M3.3	111 km	13 km
Apr 20, 2025	8 km NW of Tonasket, Washington	M3.2	108 km	15 km
Mar 3, 1998	15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada	M3.2	63 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 9, 1991	EF2	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 1978	EF2	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 5, 1972	EF2	3 km	1.0 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	93 km	3.4 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	83 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	83 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	1 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1997	EF1	1 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	93 km	5.0 mi	0
May 29, 1994	EF1	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 25, 1983	EF1	19 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 22, 1981	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 1980	EF1	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 25, 2008	EF0	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 2004	EF0	91 km	4.0 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	—	8 km
1949	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	90 km
2024	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	14.3 m	—	7 km
1944	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.1 m	—	8 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	89 km
1953	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	4.8 m	—	8 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	79 km
1953	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	—	—	8 km
1952	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	—	—	8 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	68 km
2015	TUNK BLOCK	180,111	95 km
2015	CARPENTER RD.	62,488	62 km
2021	WHITMORE	59,925	98 km
2021	SUMMIT TRAIL	54,855	38 km
2015	STICKPIN	54,119	37 km
2019	WILLIAMS FLATS	44,680	77 km
2021	CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE	37,393	79 km
2001	ST MARYS	34,914	100 km
1985	BARKER MT	32,839	92 km
2021	WALKER CREEK	26,165	77 km
2014	DEVILS ELBOW COMPLEX	25,988	60 km
2015	TOWER	24,779	70 km
2008	COLUMBIA RIVER ROAD	22,628	95 km
1988	WHITE MOUNTAIN	21,855	33 km
1996	TIMBERLINE COMPLEX	17,009	99 km
2007	MANILA CREEK	16,248	82 km
2021	FORD CORKSCREW	16,179	79 km
2015	RENNER	13,975	20 km
2008	SMITH LAKE FIRE	12,542	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	1.9 in
February	31°F (-0°C)	1.5 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.5 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.4 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.0 in
June	60°F (16°C)	1.8 in
July	71°F (21°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.1 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.0 in	Driest
October	46°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	35°F (2°C)	2.2 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	2.4 in	Coldest, Wettest

Kettle Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and September the driest (1.0").

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