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Weather & Climate in Potlatch, ID

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

Potlatch 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 2,586 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,586 ft (788 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density1,806/sq mi
Coordinates46.9230°N, 116.8983°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyLatah County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
16 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 Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score33.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.0 / 100
Community Resilience43.1 / 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

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

Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 150 km 11 km
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 M3.9 149 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 43 km 10 km
Nov 8, 1997 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho M3.8 136 km 5 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 141 km 9 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 104 km 2 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 100 km 1 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 126 km 5 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 106 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 104 km 2 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 137 km 0 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 138 km 5 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 79 km 5 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 95 km 10 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 94 km 0 km
Sep 22, 2003 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho M3.3 109 km 13 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 104 km 5 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 34 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 83 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 22 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 23 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 88 km 2.1 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 95 km 0.6 mi 0
Aug 9, 2016 EF0 98 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 74 km 0.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 91 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: SHOVEL CREEK (109,829 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 100 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 88 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 90 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 97 km
2015 KAMIAH GULCH 48,459 96 km
2015 FISHER 20,757 76 km
2021 BEDROCK 11,998 50 km
2015 LAWYER 2 11,378 98 km
2010 HUBBARD 10,824 91 km
2016 SNAKE RIVER FIRE 10,349 49 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 89 km
2014 WATERMELON HILL 9,321 82 km
2021 SILCOTT 8,864 67 km
2007 UNNAMED 8,547 76 km
2003 MILEPOST 59 8,361 93 km
2022 WAGNER ROAD 8,155 77 km
2015 GILMORE GULCH 8,074 85 km
2016 SPOKANE COMPLEX 6,839 70 km
1997 POW WAH KEE 6,418 69 km
2015 CHICADEE 5,766 90 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

Potlatch 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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