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Weather & Climate in Sprague, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sprague has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 2,026 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 45.0°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,026 ft (618 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 590/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.3049°N, 117.9713°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Spokane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
108 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Nov 28, 1991 | 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.3 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Sep 1, 2015 | 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington | M4.2 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Jul 14, 1992 | 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.1 | 148 km | 11 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 60 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 14 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.7 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 72 km | 0 km |
| Jun 17, 2004 | 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington | M3.4 | 73 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington | M3.4 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Oct 15, 2011 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.4 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho | M3.3 | 97 km | 13 km |
| May 11, 2001 | 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington | M3.3 | 104 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 1990 | 11 km W of Othello, Washington | M3.3 | 115 km | 2 km |
| May 27, 1997 | 15 km W of Othello, Washington | M3.3 | 118 km | 2 km |
| Nov 12, 2001 | 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington | M3.3 | 60 km | 0 km |
| Jun 12, 1995 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.3 | 140 km | 1 km |
| May 1, 2011 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.3 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Dec 15, 1991 | 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington | M3.3 | 148 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1971 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1966 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1957 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1954 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 54 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 66 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 69 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1985 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1984 | EF1 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1983 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1978 | EF1 | 91 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1973 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1970 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2024 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.9 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 | — | 141 km |
| 1949 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 64 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 142 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 141 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 56 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 141 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 67 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 141 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 141 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITNEY (127,930 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | WHITNEY | 127,930 | 57 km |
| 2015 | CARPENTER RD. | 62,488 | 83 km |
| 2019 | WILLIAMS FLATS | 44,680 | 85 km |
| 2012 | APACHE PASS | 25,101 | 53 km |
| 1996 | LINCOLN | 19,376 | 63 km |
| 2008 | SWANSON LAKE | 18,941 | 56 km |
| 2016 | BLACK ROCK ROAD | 17,398 | 74 km |
| 2020 | KAHLOTUS | 16,738 | 99 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 16,737 | 86 km |
| 2021 | FORD CORKSCREW | 16,179 | 72 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,401 | 57 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 96 km |
| 2003 | RATTLESNAKE CANYON | 10,655 | 72 km |
| 2016 | SNAKE RIVER FIRE | 10,349 | 91 km |
| 2023 | GRAY | 10,096 | 34 km |
| 2016 | CAYUSE MTN | 9,744 | 61 km |
| 2016 | KAHLOTUS | 9,386 | 89 km |
| 2016 | FLETCHER ROAD | 9,380 | 89 km |
| 2014 | WATERMELON HILL | 9,321 | 15 km |
| 2022 | WAGNER ROAD | 8,155 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
Sprague has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 29°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.1") and August the driest (0.6").