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Weather & Climate in Nespelem Community, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nespelem Community experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 274 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 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 2,625 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,625 ft (800 m) |
| Area | 8.9 sq mi (23.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 14/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1625°N, 119.0487°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Okanogan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 89.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
188 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington | M4.6 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 128 km | 8 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 16 km | 9 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 62 km | 11 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 117 km | 1 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 1997 | 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington | M3.7 | 89 km | 7 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 66 km | 7 km |
| Dec 24, 2000 | 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington | M3.5 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Jan 24, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington | M3.4 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 7 km NW of Entiat, Washington | M3.4 | 105 km | 6 km |
| Sep 13, 2012 | 10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington | M3.4 | 117 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2017 | Washington | M3.3 | 89 km | 2 km |
| Mar 28, 1991 | 8 km W of Entiat, Washington | M3.3 | 109 km | -1 km |
| Jun 19, 1990 | 11 km W of Othello, Washington | M3.3 | 149 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 80 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 5 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 5 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 65 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1987 | EF1 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2016 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 60 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 60 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 61 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 61 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
9 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 | — | 80 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 64 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 81 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 80 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 85 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 80 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 73 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 80 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 80 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (153 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 153 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARLTON COMPLEX (276,249 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | CARLTON COMPLEX | 276,249 | 68 km |
| 2015 | NORTH STAR | 218,547 | 29 km |
| 2020 | PEARL HILL | 217,720 | 58 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 35 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 41 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 61 km |
| 2020 | WHITNEY | 127,930 | 71 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 20 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 26 km |
| 2021 | CUB CREEK 2 | 74,601 | 100 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 72 km |
| 2015 | BLACK CANYON | 61,379 | 78 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 15 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 81 km |
| 2021 | SUMMIT TRAIL | 54,855 | 51 km |
| 2015 | STICKPIN | 54,119 | 89 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 46 km |
| 2002 | DEER POINT | 41,348 | 86 km |
| 2021 | CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE | 37,393 | 13 km |
| 2001 | VIRGINIA L | 35,780 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Nespelem Community has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.7") and July the driest (0.6").