Weather & Climate in St. John, WA

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

St. John experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 69°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 17.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 1,959 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	49.3°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,959 ft (597 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	1,022/sq mi
Coordinates	47.0915°N, 117.5887°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Spokane County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.1"

55% below US avg

Snowfall 26.6"

Wettest Month (Dec) 2.40"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.67"

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

121 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	135 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	134 km	11 km
Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	143 km	2 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	68 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	67 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	82 km	10 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	148 km	2 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	148 km	9 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	143 km	2 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	139 km	1 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	134 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	141 km	2 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	87 km	0 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	69 km	10 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	148 km	1 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	68 km	17 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	126 km	5 km
May 11, 2001	4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington	M3.3	134 km	11 km
Jun 19, 1990	11 km W of Othello, Washington	M3.3	135 km	2 km
May 27, 1997	15 km W of Othello, Washington	M3.3	138 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	26 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	68 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	98 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	52 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	41 km	0.5 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	87 km	3.4 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	85 km	5.0 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	74 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	43 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1981	EF1	96 km	0.1 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	89 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	63 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2024	EF0	79 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	63 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	64 km	2.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2016	EF0	62 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	—	100 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	86 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	99 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	94 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	98 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	90 km
2012	APACHE PASS	25,101	90 km
1996	LINCOLN	19,376	100 km
2008	SWANSON LAKE	18,941	92 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	100 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	85 km
2021	FORD CORKSCREW	16,179	94 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,401	80 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	81 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	57 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	49 km
2016	CAYUSE MTN	9,744	91 km
2016	KAHLOTUS	9,386	94 km
2016	FLETCHER ROAD	9,380	79 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	32 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	88 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	97 km
2022	WAGNER ROAD	8,155	23 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	2.1 in
February	35°F (2°C)	1.5 in
March	41°F (5°C)	1.7 in
April	47°F (9°C)	1.3 in
May	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
July	69°F (21°C)	0.7 in	Warmest, Driest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.7 in
September	59°F (15°C)	0.8 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	38°F (3°C)	2.2 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	2.4 in	Coldest, Wettest

St. John has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 30°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.7").

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