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Weather & Climate in Lost River, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lost River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 310 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 9.9 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 6,472 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 42.3°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,472 ft (1,973 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 6/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6883°N, 113.6353°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Butte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pocatello Regional (PIH) 75 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,429 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Stanley, Idaho | M6.5 | 147 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 139 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 99 km | 9 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 18 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.8 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.6 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Apr 9, 2019 | 9 km NE of Lima, Montana | M4.6 | 144 km | 14 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 95 km | 10 km |
| May 14, 2020 | 31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 150 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 1992 | 17 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 143 km | 7 km |
| May 21, 2020 | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho | M4.3 | 74 km | 7 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Aug 13, 1998 | 3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho | M4.2 | 100 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
34 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 2018 | EF1 | 74 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1992 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1987 | EF1 | 26 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2018 | EF0 | 23 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2018 | EF0 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2018 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2014 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2014 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2013 | EF0 | 95 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2006 | EF0 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2006 | EF0 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2006 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2006 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2006 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2005 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2005 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2005 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Craters of the Moon (32 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Craters of the Moon | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,005 m (6,578 ft) | -130 | 32 km |
| Black Butte Crater Lava Field | Shield | 1,478 m (4,849 ft) | -8400 | 81 km |
| Wapi Lava Field | Shield | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) | -300 | 96 km |
| Hell's Half Acre | Shield | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | -3250 | 98 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COXS WELL (219,424 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | COXS WELL | 219,424 | 71 km |
| 2006 | CRYSTAL | 218,581 | 76 km |
| 1996 | RICHFIELDS | 178,385 | 75 km |
| 1992 | BLACK RIDGE | 147,833 | 68 km |
| 1999 | MULE BUTTE | 138,102 | 77 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER CREEK | 111,286 | 71 km |
| 2010 | JEFFERSON | 108,542 | 86 km |
| 2019 | SHEEP | 107,233 | 74 km |
| 2012 | FLAT TOP 2 | 102,340 | 78 km |
| 2000 | COFFEE POINT | 73,480 | 83 km |
| 1990 | THORN CREEK | 70,365 | 90 km |
| 2018 | SHARPS | 63,895 | 37 km |
| 2000 | FLATTOP | 56,792 | 90 km |
| 2017 | MAMMOTH CAVE | 50,391 | 75 km |
| 1999 | CEDAR BUTTE | 49,625 | 77 km |
| 2007 | CASTLE ROCK | 48,430 | 67 km |
| 2011 | T17 | 45,631 | 74 km |
| 2005 | RUPERT | 45,361 | 82 km |
| 1999 | INEEL FIRE | 43,547 | 82 km |
| 2005 | VALLEY ROAD | 40,801 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 53°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in |
Lost River has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 19°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.6") and October the driest (0.8").