Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Rathdrum, ID

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

Rathdrum experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 70°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 25.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 2,213 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,213 ft (675 m)
Area5.0 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density1,458/sq mi
Coordinates47.7940°N, 116.8929°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyKootenai County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.4"
33% below US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.46"
Driest Month (Jul) 1.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score79.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability23.4 / 100
Community Resilience46.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

96 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
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 91 km 2 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 40 km 4 km
Jan 20, 1998 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana M4.0 139 km 7 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 40 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 59 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 140 km 10 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 55 km 9 km
Aug 19, 1999 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.7 147 km 14 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 91 km 2 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 90 km 1 km
Oct 26, 1999 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana M3.6 150 km 12 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 42 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 87 km 2 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 93 km 5 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 99 km 5 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 40 km 10 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 94 km 1 km
May 14, 2014 5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.4 139 km 15 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 88 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 31, 1997 EF2 25 km 5.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF2 43 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 46 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 42 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 55 km 0.5 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 93 km 3.4 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 47 km 5.0 mi 0
May 29, 1994 EF1 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 27 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 60 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 45 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1978 EF1 58 km 1.9 mi 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 60 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 52 km 0.0 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 38 km 2.1 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 50 km 0.6 mi 0
Aug 9, 2016 EF0 57 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 52 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 91 km 0.0 mi 0
Jun 25, 2004 EF0 81 km 4.0 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 - 127 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m - 110 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m - 127 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m - 127 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m - 85 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m - 127 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m - 95 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 127 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 127 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 94 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 79 km
2021 FORD CORKSCREW 16,179 64 km
2021 DECEITFUL 12,750 72 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 65 km
2015 SOUTH BOBTAIL 11,256 81 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 32 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 65 km
2016 CAYUSE MTN 9,744 86 km
2015 NAPOLEON 1 9,727 85 km
2014 WATERMELON HILL 9,321 84 km
2015 LOWER FLAT 9,034 57 km
2018 COUGAR 8,708 78 km
2021 TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX 7,117 78 km
2016 SPOKANE COMPLEX 6,839 45 km
2017 CUB CREEK 5,683 99 km
1991 UNNAMED 5,297 68 km
2015 NORTH GRIZZLY 5,286 58 km
2015 BERRAY MOUNTAIN 5,126 89 km
2018 ANGEL SPRINGS 4,718 85 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-0°C) 3.2 in
February 32°F (0°C) 2.4 in
March 39°F (4°C) 2.1 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.8 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.1 in
June 60°F (16°C) 1.9 in
July 70°F (21°C) 1.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 1.1 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.1 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.7 in
November 36°F (2°C) 3.2 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 3.5 in Coldest, Wettest

Rathdrum has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.5") and July the driest (1.0").

View full profile of Rathdrum, ID →