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Weather & Climate in Nelson, BC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 257 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 98.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 1,772 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 257 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,772 ft (540 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.4999°N, 117.2855°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Feb 5, 2023 | British Columbia, Canada | M3.9 | 79 km | 1 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Oct 27, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.3 | 24 km | 7 km |
| Aug 20, 1990 | 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada | M3.3 | 24 km | -1 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.2 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2020 | 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada | M3.2 | 37 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 1997 | 12 km N of Troy, Montana | M3.1 | 145 km | 19 km |
| Mar 19, 1998 | 31 km SSW of Nakusp, Canada | M3.0 | 69 km | 0 km |
| Oct 23, 1991 | 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M3.0 | 24 km | 7 km |
| Feb 3, 1994 | 31 km ENE of Osoyoos, Canada | M2.9 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 16 km SE of Invermere, Canada | M2.9 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 31 km N of Nelson, Canada | M2.8 | 32 km | 19 km |
| Feb 10, 2016 | 29 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada | M2.8 | 98 km | 3 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 32 km ENE of Nelson, Canada | M2.8 | 33 km | 20 km |
| May 1, 2003 | 14 km NE of Kootenai, Idaho | M2.8 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 26 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada | M2.8 | 94 km | 4 km |
| May 15, 2004 | 4 km NNW of Grand Forks, Canada | M2.7 | 98 km | 1 km |
| May 6, 1995 | 35 km NNW of Creston, Canada | M2.7 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 1999 | 10 km N of Castlegar, Canada | M2.7 | 28 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 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 | — | 121 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 121 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 121 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 121 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 121 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 121 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RUSSELL MOUNTAIN (26,130 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 94 km |
| 2018 | HORNS MOUNTAIN | 6,890 | 80 km |
| 2003 | TOGO MOUNTAIN | 5,495 | 100 km |
| 2017 | NOISY CREEK | 5,452 | 77 km |
| 2015 | PARKER RIDGE | 4,773 | 85 km |
| 2017 | NORTH FORK HUGHES | 4,628 | 70 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES 32 COMPLEX | 4,536 | 74 km |
| 2003 | BLACK CANYON | 2,403 | 74 km |
| 2022 | THOR | 2,099 | 76 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,909 | 71 km |
| 2022 | DIAMOND WATCH | 1,431 | 98 km |
| 2022 | SLATE CREEK | 1,263 | 62 km |
| 2018 | SMITH CREEK | 1,114 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 4.9 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.1") and September the driest (2.1").