Weather & Climate in Malta, ID

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

Malta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°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 9.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 4,517 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	46.2°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,517 ft (1,377 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density	233/sq mi
Coordinates	42.3075°N, 113.3697°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Cassia County County
Nearest Airport	Pocatello Regional (PIH) 57 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.6"

75% below US avg

Snowfall 11.9"

Wettest Month (May) 1.85"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	43.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	22.4 / 100
Community Resilience	20.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

149 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Nov 4, 1992	67 km ENE of Montello, Nevada	M4.7	88 km	9 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	113 km	7 km
Jun 3, 2009	5 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M4.0	111 km	9 km
May 4, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.9	113 km	6 km
May 6, 2013	9 km NW of Grace, Idaho	M3.9	132 km	5 km
Sep 24, 2019	5 km ENE of Howell, Utah	M3.9	98 km	7 km
Jun 28, 1990	11 km NNE of Howell, Utah	M3.8	92 km	6 km
Jan 20, 2020	7 km E of Bancroft, Idaho	M3.7	137 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2000	9 km ENE of Snowville, Utah	M3.6	72 km	7 km
Jul 3, 1993	7 km SSW of Malad City, Idaho	M3.6	91 km	9 km
Nov 4, 1992	49 km SW of Snowville, Utah	M3.6	81 km	13 km
Feb 1, 2008	6 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M3.5	110 km	9 km
Jul 13, 2012	2 km ESE of Trenton, Utah	M3.5	128 km	6 km
Apr 24, 1998	10 km NE of Howell, Utah	M3.5	98 km	11 km
Jan 24, 1990	14 km WSW of Howell, Utah	M3.5	87 km	6 km
May 6, 2013	2 km NNE of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho	M3.5	119 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2021	47 km SW of Howell, Utah	M3.5	98 km	11 km
Oct 3, 1997	19 km WSW of Corinne, Utah	M3.4	128 km	9 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.4	105 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2017	9 km WNW of Soda Springs, Idaho	M3.4	143 km	3 km

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

Tornado History

55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 18, 1991	EF2	43 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 17, 1990	EF2	69 km	4.0 mi	0
Sep 11, 1968	EF2	62 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 20, 1999	EF1	89 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF1	85 km	10.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 1986	EF1	60 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 1986	EF1	88 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 8, 1985	EF1	89 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 18, 1983	EF1	99 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 17, 1981	EF1	50 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 7, 1972	EF1	53 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1957	EF1	79 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 2023	EF0	25 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 2, 2019	EF0	38 km	1.0 mi	0
May 7, 2019	EF0	87 km	1.5 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	66 km	0.1 mi	0
May 21, 2014	EF0	65 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 1, 2012	EF0	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 1, 2012	EF0	18 km	1.0 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	—	79 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Wapi Lava Field (65 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Wapi Lava Field	Shield	1,604 m (5,262 ft)	-300	65 km
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	124 km
Black Butte Crater Lava Field	Shield	1,478 m (4,849 ft)	-8400	126 km
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	152 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	100 km
2006	CRYSTAL	218,581	90 km
1996	RICHFIELDS	178,385	95 km
2007	WINECUP COMPLEX (WEST FORK)	159,805	88 km
1992	BLACK RIDGE	147,833	94 km
1999	MULE BUTTE	138,102	82 km
2018	GOOSE CREEK	131,432	94 km
2012	FLAT TOP 2	102,340	89 km
2020	BADGER	86,836	66 km
2012	CAVE CANYON	84,780	61 km
2007	BLACK PINE 2	69,897	17 km
2000	FLATTOP	56,792	79 km
2000	WEST BASIN	56,396	85 km
2017	DRY GULCH	55,066	97 km
2017	POWERLINE	54,378	76 km
2006	STONE 2	50,677	53 km
2005	RUPERT	45,361	73 km
2007	RED BRIDGE	44,096	99 km
2016	LAIDLAW	40,551	99 km
2012	OWINZA	32,868	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (6°C)	1.0 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	1.7 in
July	68°F (20°C)	1.2 in
August	69°F (20°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
September	60°F (15°C)	1.0 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.8 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in

Malta has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.6").

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