Weather & Climate in Pocatello, ID

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

Pocatello experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 302 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 13.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 29.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 4,469 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,469 ft (1,362 m)
Area	34.0 sq mi (88.0 km²)
Population Density	1,682/sq mi
Coordinates	42.8727°N, 112.4638°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Bannock County County
Nearest Airport	Pocatello Regional (PIH) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.0"

66% below US avg

Snowfall 29.7"

Wettest Month (May) 1.46"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.75"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	66.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.9 / 100
Community Resilience	59.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1,219 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Feb 3, 1994	4 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming	M5.8	122 km	8 km
Apr 21, 2001	29 km WSW of Freedom, Idaho	M5.3	87 km	1 km
Sep 2, 2017	12 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho	M5.3	87 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2017	9 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho	M5.0	92 km	10 km
Feb 11, 1994	3 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming	M4.8	120 km	5 km
Feb 4, 1994	4 km WNW of Fairview, Wyoming	M4.7	119 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2017	12 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho	M4.7	86 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2017	15 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho	M4.7	89 km	10 km
Sep 11, 2017	9 km NW of Georgetown, Idaho	M4.7	91 km	8 km
Sep 3, 2017	10 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho	M4.7	85 km	8 km
Sep 6, 2017	11 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho	M4.6	90 km	10 km
Sep 4, 2017	13 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho	M4.5	87 km	6 km
Feb 7, 1994	4 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming	M4.5	120 km	5 km
Feb 10, 1994	3 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming	M4.4	116 km	5 km
Feb 3, 1994	0 km NNE of Auburn, Wyoming	M4.4	120 km	5 km
Nov 10, 1992	32 km WNW of Freedom, Idaho	M4.4	88 km	10 km
Feb 3, 1994	2 km SW of Auburn, Wyoming	M4.4	118 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2018	5 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho	M4.4	96 km	10 km
Feb 3, 1994	13 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming	M4.4	109 km	5 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	144 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 17, 1990	EF2	32 km	4.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1978	EF2	78 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 2018	EF1	71 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 2002	EF1	95 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	28 km	14.0 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	51 km	9.0 mi	0
Feb 14, 2000	EF1	60 km	12.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1999	EF1	18 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF1	27 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1992	EF1	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 17, 1988	EF1	91 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1988	EF1	99 km	15.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 1986	EF1	47 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 1986	EF1	79 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 1986	EF1	84 km	5.0 mi	0
Aug 18, 1983	EF1	26 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 30, 1982	EF1	99 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 17, 1981	EF1	47 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 21, 1981	EF1	97 km	1.1 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF1	85 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1909	UTAH	Earthquake	3.6 m	—	121 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Wapi Lava Field (62 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Wapi Lava Field	Shield	1,604 m (5,262 ft)	-300	62 km
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	70 km
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	104 km
Black Butte Crater Lava Field	Shield	1,478 m (4,849 ft)	-8400	157 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COXS WELL (219,424 acres, 1996).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1996	COXS WELL	219,424	62 km
2006	CRYSTAL	218,581	62 km
1999	MULE BUTTE	138,102	69 km
2010	JEFFERSON	108,542	90 km
2019	SHEEP	107,233	86 km
2000	COFFEE POINT	73,480	49 km
2007	BLACK PINE 2	69,897	94 km
2000	FLATTOP	56,792	52 km
2017	POWERLINE	54,378	23 km
2016	HENRYS CREEK	52,988	85 km
2006	STONE 2	50,677	85 km
1999	CEDAR BUTTE	49,625	61 km
2011	T17	45,631	97 km
2005	RUPERT	45,361	86 km
1999	INEEL FIRE	43,547	92 km
2000	COFFEE POINT NORTH	35,980	90 km
2008	NORTH MINIDOKA	32,363	82 km
1994	ELEVATOR	31,854	98 km
2012	SHALE BUTTE	31,479	98 km
2013	STATE	31,011	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	1.2 in
February	28°F (-2°C)	1.1 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.2 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.1 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.5 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	1.2 in
July	75°F (24°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.8 in	Driest
September	59°F (15°C)	0.9 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	34°F (1°C)	1.2 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Pocatello has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 24°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.5") and August the driest (0.8").

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