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Weather & Climate in Pataha, WA

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

Pataha experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 273 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 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.4 inches of snow annually. 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 2,011 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,011 ft (613 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density309/sq mi
Coordinates46.4727°N, 117.5443°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyGarfield County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.6"
54% below US avg
Snowfall 8.4"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.44"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.75"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability18.7 / 100
Community Resilience27.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very 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 Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

107 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 80 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 79 km 11 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 136 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 135 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 50 km 10 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 132 km 2 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 115 km 20 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 137 km 10 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 99 km 0 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 132 km 1 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 57 km 17 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 146 km 5 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 123 km 1 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 132 km 1 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 80 km 8 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 136 km 0 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 131 km 2 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 145 km 2 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 142 km 2 km
Nov 17, 2013 13 km NNE of West Richland, Washington M3.2 133 km 0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

23 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 52 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 73 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 20 km 1.0 mi 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 58 km 9.1 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 95 km 2.9 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 39 km 1.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 68 km 2.0 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 57 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 95 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 86 km 0.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 94 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 96 km 0.4 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 100 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF0 44 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 1, 1991 EF0 50 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 75 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 14, 1986 EF0 77 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MALONEY CREEK (131,397 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 82 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 39 km
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 75 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 30 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 52 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 80 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 75 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 84 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 22 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 69 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 80 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 36 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 76 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 68 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 77 km
2015 FISHER 20,757 88 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 77 km
2005 TRYON COMPLEX (CHERRY CREEK) 17,794 90 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 82 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 69 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 2.4 in Wettest
February 36°F (2°C) 1.9 in
March 40°F (5°C) 1.8 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in
May 53°F (12°C) 1.7 in
June 60°F (16°C) 1.4 in
July 69°F (21°C) 0.8 in Warmest, Driest
August 67°F (20°C) 0.9 in
September 59°F (15°C) 1.0 in
October 48°F (9°C) 1.5 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.4 in
December 31°F (-1°C) 2.4 in Coldest

Pataha has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 31°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.8").

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