Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Owyhee has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 316 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 12.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 117.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,383 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average
39.9°F
26% below US avg
January Average
19°F (-7°C)
July Average
63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days
316 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
5,383 ft (1,641 m)
Area
225.2 sq mi (583.3 km²)
Population Density
3/sq mi
Coordinates
41.9280°N, 116.2122°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Owyhee County County
Nearest Airport
Elko Regional (EKO) 79 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall12.8"
66% below US avg
Snowfall117.0"
Wettest Month (Nov)1.42"
Driest Month (Jul)0.47"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
44.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
86.2 / 100
Community Resilience
1.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
445 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.9.
Feb 21, 2008
8 km ENE of Wells, Nevada
M5.9
142 km
8 km
Feb 21, 2008
10 km ENE of Wells, Nevada
M5.1
144 km
0 km
Feb 22, 2008
4 km ENE of Wells, Nevada
M4.8
140 km
11 km
Aug 30, 2025
51 km NE of Valmy, Nevada
M4.8
97 km
8 km
Feb 21, 2008
4 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.6
138 km
13 km
Feb 21, 2008
5 km E of Wells, Nevada
M4.6
142 km
7 km
Oct 8, 2001
36 km NNW of Osino, Nevada
M4.3
84 km
0 km
Feb 22, 2008
5 km E of Wells, Nevada
M4.3
141 km
12 km
Feb 23, 2008
9 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.3
140 km
11 km
Feb 24, 2008
6 km E of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
142 km
0 km
Feb 27, 2008
6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
144 km
9 km
Apr 1, 2008
16 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
139 km
10 km
Feb 27, 2008
13 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
141 km
9 km
Feb 25, 2008
6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
144 km
8 km
Feb 21, 2008
5 km ENE of Wells, Nevada
M4.1
140 km
5 km
Feb 25, 2008
4 km ENE of Wells, Nevada
M4.0
140 km
9 km
Aug 30, 2025
61 km NNE of Valmy, Nevada
M4.0
86 km
4 km
Feb 26, 2008
11 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.0
137 km
5 km
Mar 31, 2025
57 km NE of Valmy, Nevada
M4.0
90 km
6 km
Feb 28, 2008
5 km NE of Wells, Nevada
M4.0
138 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 11, 1977
EF1
45 km
0.1 mi
0
May 22, 2018
EF0
33 km
0.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2009
EF0
11 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 20, 2009
EF0
49 km
0.2 mi
0
Jun 20, 2009
EF0
42 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 11, 1993
EF0
60 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Jordan Craters (170 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Jordan Craters
Volcanic field
1,473 m (4,833 ft)
-1250
170 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: MURPHY COMPLEX (567,409 acres, 2007).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2007
MURPHY COMPLEX
567,409
78 km
2018
MARTIN
432,180
70 km
2006
WINTERS
242,873
68 km
2018
SOUTH SUGARLOAF
241,426
29 km
2006
CHARLESTON
154,036
86 km
2017
SNOWSTORM
153,561
61 km
2011
INDIAN CREEK
115,891
88 km
2006
AMAZON
105,310
50 km
2005
ESMERALDA
101,118
85 km
2018
BRUNEAU
87,679
54 km
1995
TUANA COMPLEX
80,638
85 km
2001
BUFFALO COMPLEX (HOT LAKE)
73,798
99 km
2019
POT HOLE
67,826
99 km
2011
BIG HILL
65,416
76 km
1985
CROWS NEST
62,780
99 km
2008
EAST SLIDE ROCK RIDGE WFU
55,098
78 km
2005
WILSON COMPLEX (RAWHIDE)
50,877
29 km
2012
JACKS
47,219
73 km
2007
TONGUE COMPLEX (CRUTCHER)
44,229
73 km
2012
WILLOW
43,612
73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
19°F (-7°C)
1.3 in
Coldest
February
30°F (-1°C)
1.0 in
March
35°F (2°C)
1.0 in
April
41°F (5°C)
0.9 in
May
49°F (9°C)
1.3 in
June
57°F (14°C)
1.2 in
July
63°F (17°C)
0.5 in
Driest
August
67°F (20°C)
0.5 in
Warmest
September
59°F (15°C)
0.8 in
October
48°F (9°C)
0.9 in
November
37°F (3°C)
1.4 in
Wettest
December
28°F (-2°C)
1.4 in
Owyhee has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 19°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.5").