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Weather & Climate in Lava Hot Springs, ID

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

Lava Hot Springs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 302 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 18.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 4,997 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,997 ft (1,523 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density359/sq mi
Coordinates42.6201°N, 112.0099°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyBannock County County
Nearest AirportPocatello Regional (PIH)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.3"
52% below US avg
Wettest Month (May) 1.93"
Driest Month (Aug) 1.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score66.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability17.9 / 100
Community Resilience59.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

1,277 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Feb 3, 1994 4 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming M5.8 86 km 8 km
Sep 2, 2017 12 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho M5.3 46 km 10 km
Apr 21, 2001 29 km WSW of Freedom, Idaho M5.3 61 km 1 km
Sep 10, 2017 9 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho M5.0 49 km 10 km
Apr 15, 2010 9 km NE of Randolph, Utah M4.9 126 km 10 km
Feb 11, 1994 3 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming M4.8 85 km 5 km
Feb 4, 1994 4 km WNW of Fairview, Wyoming M4.7 81 km 5 km
Sep 3, 2017 15 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho M4.7 48 km 10 km
Sep 3, 2017 10 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho M4.7 44 km 8 km
Sep 10, 2017 12 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho M4.7 44 km 5 km
Sep 11, 2017 9 km NW of Georgetown, Idaho M4.7 47 km 8 km
Sep 6, 2017 11 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho M4.6 47 km 10 km
Feb 7, 1994 4 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming M4.5 81 km 5 km
Sep 4, 2017 13 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho M4.5 46 km 6 km
Nov 10, 1992 32 km WNW of Freedom, Idaho M4.4 71 km 10 km
Feb 3, 1994 13 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming M4.4 72 km 5 km
Feb 3, 1994 0 km NNE of Auburn, Wyoming M4.4 85 km 5 km
Feb 10, 1994 3 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming M4.4 81 km 5 km
Jan 26, 2018 5 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho M4.4 52 km 10 km
Feb 3, 1994 2 km SW of Auburn, Wyoming M4.4 83 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

62 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 17, 1990 EF2 69 km 4.0 mi 0
Apr 7, 1978 EF2 98 km 1.5 mi 0
Feb 14, 2000 EF1 71 km 14.0 mi 0
Feb 14, 2000 EF1 75 km 9.0 mi 0
Feb 14, 2000 EF1 82 km 12.0 mi 0
Jul 20, 1999 EF1 64 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1993 EF1 34 km 10.0 mi 0
Sep 17, 1989 EF1 71 km 0.2 mi 0
May 29, 1987 EF1 72 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 24, 1986 EF1 85 km 0.5 mi 0
May 21, 1986 EF1 33 km 0.5 mi 0
May 21, 1986 EF1 62 km 5.0 mi 0
Aug 18, 1983 EF1 23 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 30, 1982 EF1 59 km 1.2 mi 0
Jul 17, 1981 EF1 71 km 0.8 mi 0
May 6, 1981 EF1 83 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 24, 1980 EF1 90 km 0.1 mi 0
May 26, 1964 EF1 57 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 13, 1959 EF1 87 km 0.4 mi 0
May 18, 1956 EF1 72 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1909 UTAH Earthquake 3.6 m — 108 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Wapi Lava Field (103 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Wapi Lava Field Shield 1,604 m (5,262 ft) -300 103 km
Hell's Half Acre Shield 1,631 m (5,351 ft) -3250 104 km
Craters of the Moon Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,005 m (6,578 ft) -130 150 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COFFEE POINT (73,480 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 COFFEE POINT 73,480 95 km
2000 FLATTOP 56,792 97 km
2017 POWERLINE 54,378 49 km
2016 HENRYS CREEK 52,988 94 km
2006 STONE 2 50,677 82 km
1994 ELEVATOR 31,854 76 km
2013 STATE 31,011 71 km
1992 SAGEHEN 26,663 53 km
1998 TILDEN 2 23,183 98 km
1999 GRANDVIEW 23,031 98 km
2016 BROAD MOUTH 21,009 87 km
2012 RIDGE TOP 17,793 62 km
2000 FISHER SPRINGS 17,428 56 km
2000 EAST FALL CREEK 17,131 84 km
2005 ROUND BUTTE 16,856 92 km
2007 CLEVELAND 16,172 40 km
2018 GORING 14,538 90 km
2007 COW CANYON 13,447 90 km
1992 MEADOW DIVIDE 12,968 81 km
1998 EAGLE TWO 12,809 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 1.5 in
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.3 in
March 33°F (1°C) 1.5 in
April 41°F (5°C) 1.3 in
May 50°F (10°C) 1.9 in Wettest
June 58°F (15°C) 1.4 in
July 69°F (21°C) 1.1 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 1.0 in Driest
September 57°F (14°C) 1.2 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.3 in
November 33°F (0°C) 1.3 in
December 22°F (-5°C) 1.3 in Coldest

Lava Hot Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 22°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and August the driest (1.0").

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