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Weather & Climate in Sweetwater, ID

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

Sweetwater has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 276 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 21.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 86.5 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 1,117 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average44.6°F
17% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,117 ft (340 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density141/sq mi
Coordinates46.3676°N, 116.7975°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyNez Perce County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.8"
43% below US avg
Snowfall 86.5"
Wettest Month (May) 2.05"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score33.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience55.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

88 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 M4.3 124 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 124 km 11 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 145 km 2 km
Nov 8, 1997 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho M3.8 107 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 20 km 10 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 141 km 1 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 145 km 2 km
Dec 24, 1999 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.5 148 km 3 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 112 km 5 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 115 km 17 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 147 km 2 km
May 10, 2000 Idaho-Montana border region M3.3 145 km 2 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 125 km 8 km
Feb 11, 2025 2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.3 146 km 5 km
Feb 9, 1996 2 km W of Mullan, Idaho M3.2 143 km 1 km
Feb 10, 2013 29 km ESE of Pierce, Idaho M3.2 102 km 5 km
Jan 26, 1992 28 km ENE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 150 km 5 km
May 6, 2004 0 km W of Mullan, Idaho M3.1 144 km 2 km
Mar 12, 1999 17 km NW of Malden, Washington M3.1 125 km 5 km
Jun 12, 1999 0 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.1 145 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 75 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 73 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 78 km 1.0 mi 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 4 km 9.1 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 93 km 1.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 43 km 2.0 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 43 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 15 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 12, 2016 EF0 98 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 39 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 7, 2010 EF0 39 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 29, 2007 EF0 67 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1997 EF0 15 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 1, 1991 EF0 20 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 22 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 14, 1986 EF0 82 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 11, 1979 EF0 72 km 1.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DOUBLE CREEK (171,012 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 DOUBLE CREEK 171,012 95 km
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 48 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 81 km
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 38 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 50 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 74 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 52 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 41 km
2007 POE CABIN 59,704 87 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 57 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 64 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 36 km
1996 SALT COMPLEX (SALT CREEK) 50,250 92 km
2015 KAMIAH GULCH 48,459 59 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 44 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 69 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 67 km
2014 SOMERS 36,374 89 km
2000 EASTSIDE COMPLEX (DEEP CREEK) 31,969 71 km
2000 BURNT FLATS 24,808 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 2.0 in Coldest
February 38°F (3°C) 1.6 in
March 44°F (7°C) 1.8 in
April 50°F (10°C) 1.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.1 in Wettest
June 64°F (18°C) 1.5 in
July 64°F (18°C) 0.9 in
August 71°F (22°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
September 62°F (16°C) 1.1 in
October 50°F (10°C) 1.4 in
November 40°F (4°C) 2.1 in
December 33°F (1°C) 1.9 in

Sweetwater has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.1") and August the driest (0.9").

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