Weather & Climate in Princeton, ID

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

Princeton 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 2,630 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	46.9°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,630 ft (802 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density	45/sq mi
Coordinates	46.9172°N, 116.8261°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Latah County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.5"

36% below US avg

Snowfall 41.3"

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.58"

Driest Month (Jul) 1.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	33.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	15.0 / 100
Community Resilience	43.1 / 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

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

Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	100 km	2 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	96 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	95 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho	M3.9	148 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1997	39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho	M3.8	131 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	43 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	140 km	9 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	100 km	2 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	96 km	1 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	125 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	98 km	10 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	74 km	5 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	111 km	17 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	100 km	2 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	142 km	0 km
Nov 2, 1996	4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana	M3.4	135 km	5 km
Feb 11, 2025	2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.3	100 km	5 km
May 10, 2000	Idaho-Montana border region	M3.3	100 km	2 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	96 km	0 km
Sep 22, 2003	12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho	M3.3	110 km	13 km

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

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	88 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	58 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	69 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	71 km	0.5 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	20 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	83 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	46 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	90 km	2.1 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	98 km	0.6 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	100 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 5, 2011	EF0	79 km	0.0 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	88 km	0.4 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 2007	EF0	83 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 9, 1994	EF0	83 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 9.0 m (30 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	134 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	148 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	99 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	90 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	93 km
2007	CHIMNEY COMPLEX	50,646	96 km
2015	KAMIAH GULCH	48,459	92 km
2015	FISHER	20,757	73 km
2021	BEDROCK	11,998	47 km
2015	LAWYER 2	11,378	94 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	95 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	53 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	93 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	87 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	68 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	77 km
2003	MILEPOST 59	8,361	89 km
2022	WAGNER ROAD	8,155	82 km
2015	GILMORE GULCH	8,074	85 km
2016	SPOKANE COMPLEX	6,839	73 km
1997	POW WAH KEE	6,418	71 km
2015	CHICADEE	5,766	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	3.5 in
February	33°F (0°C)	2.8 in
March	38°F (3°C)	2.8 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.3 in
May	51°F (10°C)	2.4 in
June	57°F (14°C)	2.0 in
July	65°F (19°C)	1.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	1.2 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
November	35°F (2°C)	3.5 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	3.6 in	Coldest, Wettest

Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 28°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.6") and July the driest (1.0").

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