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Weather & Climate in Nespelem, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nespelem 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 1,864 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 | 1,864 ft (568 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 816/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1669°N, 118.9721°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Ferry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 68 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
182 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 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 133 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 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 23 km E of Oliver, Canada | M3.9 | 117 km | 1 km |
| Apr 15, 1991 | 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington | M3.9 | 68 km | 11 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada | M3.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada | M3.7 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 1997 | 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington | M3.7 | 94 km | 7 km |
| Jun 24, 1997 | 16 km NW of Malott, Washington | M3.6 | 71 km | 7 km |
| Dec 24, 2000 | 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington | M3.5 | 107 km | 7 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 7 km NW of Entiat, Washington | M3.4 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Jan 24, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington | M3.4 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 2012 | 10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington | M3.4 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2017 | Washington | M3.3 | 94 km | 2 km |
| Jan 14, 2004 | 2 km S of Manson, Washington | M3.3 | 95 km | 1 km |
| Sep 3, 1997 | 4 km WNW of Entiat, Washington | M3.3 | 110 km | -1 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 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 76 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 1 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 1 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 63 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1987 | EF1 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1982 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2016 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 57 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 57 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2009 | EF0 | 58 km | 1.7 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 | — | 76 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 60 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 76 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 76 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 81 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 76 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 68 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 76 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 76 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (159 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 159 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 | 74 km |
| 2015 | NORTH STAR | 218,547 | 28 km |
| 2020 | PEARL HILL | 217,720 | 62 km |
| 2020 | COLD SPRINGS | 187,561 | 41 km |
| 2015 | TUNK BLOCK | 180,111 | 44 km |
| 2015 | LIMEBELT | 137,098 | 65 km |
| 2020 | WHITNEY | 127,930 | 68 km |
| 2012 | BARKER CANYON COMPLEX | 85,906 | 25 km |
| 2018 | GRASS VALLEY | 76,074 | 29 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 67 km |
| 2015 | BLACK CANYON | 61,379 | 83 km |
| 2021 | WHITMORE | 59,925 | 21 km |
| 2006 | TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) | 59,712 | 85 km |
| 2021 | SUMMIT TRAIL | 54,855 | 46 km |
| 2015 | STICKPIN | 54,119 | 86 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 41 km |
| 2002 | DEER POINT | 41,348 | 92 km |
| 2021 | CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE | 37,393 | 8 km |
| 2001 | VIRGINIA L | 35,780 | 48 km |
| 2001 | ST MARYS | 34,914 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Nespelem has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.9") and July the driest (0.8").