Weather & Climate in Steptoe, WA

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

Steptoe experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 18.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 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 2,364 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	48.1°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,364 ft (721 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density	68/sq mi
Coordinates	47.0074°N, 117.3502°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Spokane County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Dec) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.75"

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

100 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
Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	129 km	2 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	135 km	11 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	76 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	75 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	63 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2015	12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho	M3.7	146 km	9 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	125 km	1 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	129 km	2 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	131 km	5 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	109 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	77 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	128 km	2 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	77 km	17 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	103 km	0 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	135 km	8 km
Sep 22, 2003	12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho	M3.3	102 km	13 km
Feb 11, 2025	2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.3	128 km	5 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	76 km	0 km
May 10, 2000	Idaho-Montana border region	M3.3	129 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	10 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	66 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	80 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	54 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	95 km	5.0 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	80 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	55 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1970	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	74 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2024	EF0	98 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	74 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	71 km	2.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2016	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 2016	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 5, 2011	EF0	40 km	0.0 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	—	118 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	103 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	116 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	COLUMBIA COMPLEX	118,865	100 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	88 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	83 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	97 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	94 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,401	93 km
2021	BEDROCK	11,998	81 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	78 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	45 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	63 km
2016	FLETCHER ROAD	9,380	85 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	50 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	74 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	83 km
2022	WAGNER ROAD	8,155	41 km
2006	UNNAMED	8,133	90 km
2015	GILMORE GULCH	8,074	99 km
2016	SPOKANE COMPLEX	6,839	54 km
1997	POW WAH KEE	6,418	71 km
2022	RIPARIA	5,631	56 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	2.2 in
February	35°F (1°C)	1.7 in
March	40°F (4°C)	1.8 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.5 in
May	54°F (12°C)	1.6 in
June	60°F (15°C)	1.3 in
July	68°F (20°C)	0.8 in	Warmest, Driest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.8 in
September	59°F (15°C)	0.9 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	37°F (3°C)	2.3 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Wettest

Steptoe has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 30°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (0.8").

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