All Countries
Weather & Climate in Priest River, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Priest River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 32.6 inches. The area receives 73.9 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 2,165 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,165 ft (660 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 919/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1843°N, 116.9054°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Bonner County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
91 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 116 km | 2 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 66 km | 4 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 37 km | 17 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 41 km | 9 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 116 km | 2 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 116 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 39 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2014 | 5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.4 | 135 km | 15 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Dec 15, 2012 | 19 km S of Troy, Montana | M3.4 | 78 km | 1 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho | M3.4 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 111 km | 2 km |
| Nov 2, 1996 | 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana | M3.4 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 67 km | 0 km |
| Sep 16, 2002 | 1 km N of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.3 | 131 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 43 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 1 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1957 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1954 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1997 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 59 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1984 | EF1 | 57 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1983 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1983 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1980 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 27 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1970 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF0 | 68 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 101 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 116 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 101 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 101 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 94 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 101 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 98 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 101 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 101 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARPENTER RD. (62,488 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 89 km |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 78 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 37 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 67 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 88 km |
| 2021 | DECEITFUL | 12,750 | 94 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,401 | 77 km |
| 2015 | SOUTH BOBTAIL | 11,256 | 97 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 30 km |
| 2023 | GRAY | 10,096 | 93 km |
| 2016 | CAYUSE MTN | 9,744 | 92 km |
| 2015 | NAPOLEON 1 | 9,727 | 78 km |
| 2015 | LOWER FLAT | 9,034 | 72 km |
| 2018 | COUGAR | 8,708 | 58 km |
| 2021 | TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX | 7,117 | 53 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 7,096 | 92 km |
| 2020 | INCHELIUM HIWAY | 7,046 | 99 km |
| 2016 | SPOKANE COMPLEX | 6,839 | 82 km |
| 2017 | NOISY CREEK | 5,452 | 74 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 5,297 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.7 in | |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.9 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Priest River has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 26°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (1.2").