Weather & Climate in Onaway, ID

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

Onaway experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 31°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 24.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.3 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 2,614 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	46.9°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,614 ft (797 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	2,040/sq mi
Coordinates	46.9282°N, 116.8896°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Latah County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.5"

36% below US avg

Snowfall 41.3"

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.94"

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

89 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	104 km	2 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	93 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	92 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho	M3.9	148 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1997	39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho	M3.8	136 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	44 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	140 km	9 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	103 km	2 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	99 km	1 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	125 km	5 km
Nov 2, 1996	4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana	M3.4	137 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	95 km	10 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	78 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	103 km	2 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	107 km	17 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	138 km	0 km
May 10, 2000	Idaho-Montana border region	M3.3	103 km	2 km
Feb 11, 2025	2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.3	103 km	5 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	93 km	0 km
Sep 22, 2003	12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho	M3.3	108 km	13 km

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

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	35 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	84 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	59 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	66 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	67 km	0.5 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	23 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	92 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	79 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	48 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	96 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	87 km	2.1 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	94 km	0.6 mi	0
Aug 9, 2016	EF0	97 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	96 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 5, 2011	EF0	75 km	0.0 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	92 km	0.4 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 2007	EF0	88 km	0.3 mi	0
May 21, 2004	EF0	98 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1949	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	19.8 m	—	149 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	130 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	144 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LICK CREEK (80,376 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	88 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	91 km
2007	CHIMNEY COMPLEX	50,646	97 km
2015	KAMIAH GULCH	48,459	96 km
2015	FISHER	20,757	77 km
2021	BEDROCK	11,998	50 km
2015	LAWYER 2	11,378	98 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	92 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	50 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	89 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	82 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	68 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	77 km
2003	MILEPOST 59	8,361	93 km
2022	WAGNER ROAD	8,155	77 km
2015	GILMORE GULCH	8,074	86 km
2016	SPOKANE COMPLEX	6,839	70 km
1997	POW WAH KEE	6,418	70 km
2015	CHICADEE	5,766	89 km
2022	RIPARIA	5,631	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	3.1 in
February	34°F (1°C)	2.5 in
March	39°F (4°C)	2.5 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	52°F (11°C)	2.2 in
June	58°F (15°C)	1.8 in
July	65°F (19°C)	0.9 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (19°C)	1.1 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
November	36°F (2°C)	3.2 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	3.3 in	Coldest, Wettest

Onaway has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 29°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.9").

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