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Weather & Climate in Kootenai, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kootenai experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches. The area receives 62.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24 / among the cleanest air in the country. 82% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,127 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 46.1°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,127 ft (648 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,956/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3118°N, 116.5171°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Bonner County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 24.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 82.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 104 km | 12 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 113 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 108 km | 2 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 96 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 13 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 116 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 23 km | 9 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 129 km | 12 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 110 km | 1 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Nov 2, 1996 | 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana | M3.4 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho | M3.4 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2014 | 5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.4 | 108 km | 15 km |
| Dec 15, 2012 | 19 km S of Troy, Montana | M3.4 | 48 km | 1 km |
| Feb 11, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 49 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 32 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 91 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1984 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 6 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF0 | 96 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2004 | EF0 | 33 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1999 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1994 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1994 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1987 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 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 | — | 124 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 148 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 123 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 124 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 126 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 124 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 130 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 124 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 124 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RUSSELL MOUNTAIN (26,130 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 58 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 50 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 71 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 99 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 56 km |
| 2021 | DECEITFUL | 12,750 | 87 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 98 km |
| 2015 | SOUTH BOBTAIL | 11,256 | 85 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 62 km |
| 2015 | NAPOLEON 1 | 9,727 | 54 km |
| 2015 | LOWER FLAT | 9,034 | 64 km |
| 2000 | KOOTENAI COMPLEX (UPPER BEAVER) | 8,783 | 91 km |
| 2018 | COUGAR | 8,708 | 28 km |
| 1994 | KOOCANUSA COMPLEX (NORTH FORK BIG CREEK) | 8,475 | 90 km |
| 2021 | TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX | 7,117 | 22 km |
| 2018 | DAVIS | 7,103 | 88 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 7,096 | 61 km |
| 2018 | GOLD HILL | 6,780 | 80 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (CLIFF POINT) | 6,648 | 99 km |
| 2017 | NOISY CREEK | 5,452 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Kootenai has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 27°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.5") and July the driest (1.3").