Weather & Climate in Sun Valley, ID

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

Sun Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 302 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 17.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 102.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33. The city sits at an elevation of 6,079 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	40.2°F
	26% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-7°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,079 ft (1,853 m)
Area	9.6 sq mi (24.8 km²)
Population Density	145/sq mi
Coordinates	43.6839°N, 114.3342°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Camas County County
Nearest Airport	Joslin Field/Magic Valley Regional (TWF) 83 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.3"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 102.0"

Wettest Month (Dec) 2.24"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.98"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	6.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	46.3 / 100
Community Resilience	37.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1,577 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.

Mar 31, 2020	Stanley, Idaho	M6.5	107 km	12 km
Jan 3, 2015	9 km E of Challis, Idaho	M5.0	93 km	9 km
Apr 13, 2014	15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	104 km	4 km
Jun 7, 1994	18 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	94 km	5 km
Apr 1, 2020	21 km WNW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.8	97 km	10 km
Jun 25, 2020	27 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.6	104 km	8 km
May 4, 1992	20 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.6	96 km	10 km
Apr 1, 2020	23 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.4	99 km	7 km
May 21, 2020	26 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.4	103 km	6 km
May 6, 1992	17 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	92 km	5 km
May 14, 2020	31 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.4	108 km	13 km
Apr 14, 2014	13 km NW of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	102 km	7 km
Dec 28, 1991	southern Idaho	M4.4	99 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1995	33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho	M4.3	98 km	5 km
Feb 17, 1992	33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho	M4.3	97 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	102 km	5 km
Jun 14, 2020	10 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.2	87 km	8 km
Aug 13, 1998	3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho	M4.2	91 km	5 km
Jun 9, 2020	11 km NW of Stanley, Idaho	M4.2	88 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 21, 1992	EF1	77 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 20, 1988	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF1	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1987	EF1	69 km	1.0 mi	0
May 2, 1985	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 5, 1961	EF1	76 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 2, 1961	EF1	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1956	EF1	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 2018	EF0	71 km	5.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 2014	EF0	64 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 2013	EF0	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 2008	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 4, 2006	EF0	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 4, 2006	EF0	55 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 4, 2006	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 4, 2006	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 2005	EF0	52 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 2005	EF0	53 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 1, 2000	EF0	94 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1996	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Butte Crater Lava Field (56 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Butte Crater Lava Field	Shield	1,478 m (4,849 ft)	-8400	56 km
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	73 km
Wapi Lava Field	Shield	1,604 m (5,262 ft)	-300	127 km
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	153 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICHFIELDS (178,385 acres, 1996).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1996	RICHFIELDS	178,385	78 km
1994	IDAHO CITY COMPLEX (RABBIT CREEK)	150,456	91 km
1992	BLACK RIDGE	147,833	78 km
2012	TRINITY RIDGE	141,807	85 km
2013	ELK COMPLEX	129,565	95 km
2013	BEAVER CREEK	111,286	17 km
2012	FLAT TOP 2	102,340	83 km
1990	THORN CREEK	70,365	57 km
2018	SHARPS	63,895	29 km
2017	MAMMOTH CAVE	50,391	60 km
2007	CASTLE ROCK	48,430	11 km
2007	RED BRIDGE	44,096	94 km
2005	VALLEY ROAD	40,801	55 km
2022	ROSS FORK	40,690	47 km
2016	LAIDLAW	40,551	79 km
2011	BLAIR	40,086	96 km
2008	SOUTH BARKER WFU	36,091	64 km
2017	SHOESTRING	35,543	92 km
2000	TRAIL CREEK	33,548	64 km
2014	PREACHER	33,144	58 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-7°C)	2.2 in
February	21°F (-6°C)	1.7 in
March	26°F (-3°C)	1.5 in
April	34°F (1°C)	1.2 in
May	42°F (6°C)	1.8 in
June	50°F (10°C)	1.7 in
July	63°F (17°C)	1.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	57°F (14°C)	1.0 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
October	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	1.7 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	2.2 in	Coldest, Wettest

Sun Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 19°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (1.0").

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