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Weather & Climate in Stanley, ID
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stanley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F (1°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. The area gets 311 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 18.2 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 6,380 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 34.4°F |
| 36% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,380 ft (1,945 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 520/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.2118°N, 114.9341°W |
| Timezone | America/Boise |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 78 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 33.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,674 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Stanley, Idaho | M6.5 | 32 km | 12 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 73 km | 9 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M4.9 | 96 km | 12 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.8 | 22 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 66 km | 4 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 18 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.6 | 29 km | 8 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 83 km | 10 km |
| May 14, 2020 | 31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 32 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 1992 | 17 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 65 km | 7 km |
| May 21, 2020 | 26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 27 km | 6 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.4 | 24 km | 7 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho | M4.3 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 2020 | 10 km NW of Stanley, Idaho | M4.2 | 12 km | 8 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 26 km NW of Clayton, Idaho | M4.2 | 30 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
3 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 24, 2008 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1967 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1961 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Butte Crater Lava Field (124 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Black Butte Crater Lava Field | Shield | 1,478 m (4,849 ft) | -8400 | 124 km |
| Craters of the Moon | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,005 m (6,578 ft) | -130 | 145 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CASCADE COMPLEX (MONUMENTAL) (317,157 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CASCADE COMPLEX (MONUMENTAL) | 317,157 | 77 km |
| 2000 | DIAMOND COMPLEX (DIAMOND PEAK) | 271,361 | 94 km |
| 1992 | FOOTHILLS | 228,631 | 99 km |
| 2012 | HALSTEAD | 190,156 | 27 km |
| 2016 | PIONEER | 189,596 | 53 km |
| 1994 | IDAHO CITY COMPLEX (RABBIT CREEK) | 150,456 | 50 km |
| 2012 | TRINITY RIDGE | 141,807 | 66 km |
| 2013 | ELK COMPLEX | 129,565 | 93 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER CREEK | 111,286 | 76 km |
| 2021 | BOUNDARY | 97,995 | 47 km |
| 1987 | DEADWOOD | 57,051 | 49 km |
| 2000 | SALMON CHALLIS WILDERNESS COMPLEX (LITTLE PISTOL) | 53,790 | 63 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (SHOWER BATH) | 50,967 | 59 km |
| 2007 | SHOWER BATH COMPLEX (RED BLUFF) | 50,106 | 69 km |
| 2007 | CASTLE ROCK | 48,430 | 72 km |
| 2006 | RATTLESNAKE COMPLEX | 48,330 | 68 km |
| 1989 | SMOKEY CREEK | 47,682 | 49 km |
| 2005 | VALLEY ROAD | 40,801 | 22 km |
| 2022 | ROSS FORK | 40,690 | 40 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH BARKER WFU | 36,091 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 33°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 49°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
Stanley has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 11°F in January to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.3") and July the driest (0.9").