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Weather & Climate in Moscow, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Moscow experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 276 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 27.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 2,582 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,582 ft (787 m) |
| Area | 6.9 sq mi (17.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,744/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.7306°N, 116.9989°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Latah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 43.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
96 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Nov 28, 1991 | 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.3 | 131 km | 9 km |
| Jul 14, 1992 | 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.1 | 130 km | 11 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Nov 8, 1997 | 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho | M3.8 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 23 km | 10 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 119 km | 1 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho | M3.4 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2004 | 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington | M3.4 | 95 km | 17 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho | M3.3 | 130 km | 13 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 111 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2000 | Idaho-Montana border region | M3.3 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Dec 15, 1991 | 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington | M3.3 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Feb 11, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.3 | 123 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
20 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 30, 1971 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1966 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1962 | EF2 | 40 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1957 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1954 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 16, 2000 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1986 | EF1 | 19 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1983 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1973 | EF1 | 0 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1969 | EF1 | 30 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2011 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2010 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2010 | EF0 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2007 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1991 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1991 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 14, 1986 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1982 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1964 | EF0 | 91 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: 9.0 m (30 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | - | 143 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MALONEY CREEK (131,397 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | MALONEY CREEK | 131,397 | 89 km |
| 2006 | COLUMBIA COMPLEX | 118,865 | 88 km |
| 2021 | SHOVEL CREEK | 109,829 | 79 km |
| 2021 | LICK CREEK | 80,376 | 65 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE CREEK | 79,418 | 93 km |
| 2012 | CACHE CREEK | 75,521 | 92 km |
| 2014 | BIG COUGAR | 65,397 | 82 km |
| 1988 | TEEPEE BUTTE | 59,565 | 97 km |
| 2005 | SCHOOL | 51,701 | 69 km |
| 2007 | CHIMNEY COMPLEX | 50,646 | 76 km |
| 2015 | KAMIAH GULCH | 48,459 | 88 km |
| 2017 | POWERLINE | 45,449 | 86 km |
| 2021 | GREEN RIDGE | 44,604 | 81 km |
| 2015 | FISHER | 20,757 | 64 km |
| 1986 | JOSEPH CANYON 1 | 14,398 | 81 km |
| 2006 | JIM CREEK | 13,100 | 91 km |
| 2021 | BEDROCK | 11,998 | 41 km |
| 2015 | LAWYER 2 | 11,378 | 88 km |
| 2010 | HUBBARD | 10,824 | 73 km |
| 2016 | SNAKE RIVER FIRE | 10,349 | 30 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 2.5 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
Moscow has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 28°F in December to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 26.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (1.0").