Weather & Climate in Viola, ID

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

Viola experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 67°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 17.5 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 2,762 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	48.6°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,762 ft (842 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	48/sq mi
Coordinates	46.8389°N, 117.0188°W
Timezone	America/Boise
County	Whitman County County
Nearest Airport	Pullman/Moscow Regional (PUW) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.5"

54% below US avg

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	33.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	39.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.8 / 100
Community Resilience	50.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

94 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	137 km	9 km
Aug 17, 1994	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M4.1	117 km	2 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	137 km	11 km
Nov 11, 2001	3 km NE of Spokane, Washington	M4.0	99 km	4 km
Jun 25, 2001	Washington	M3.9	98 km	10 km
Nov 8, 1997	39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho	M3.8	139 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	35 km	10 km
May 30, 1996	3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	113 km	1 km
Mar 14, 1997	1 km E of Mullan, Idaho	M3.6	117 km	2 km
Jan 20, 2000	21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho	M3.5	138 km	5 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	128 km	0 km
Mar 8, 1994	32 km S of Wallace, Idaho	M3.4	91 km	5 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	95 km	17 km
Jun 25, 2001	2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington	M3.4	100 km	10 km
Jun 28, 1997	3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.4	117 km	2 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	138 km	8 km
May 10, 2000	Idaho-Montana border region	M3.3	117 km	2 km
Nov 12, 2001	3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington	M3.3	99 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2025	2 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho	M3.3	117 km	5 km
Sep 22, 2003	12 km NW of Rathdrum, Idaho	M3.3	118 km	13 km

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

Tornado History

26 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	27 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	71 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 1962	EF2	52 km	9.1 mi	0
May 6, 1957	EF2	73 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1954	EF2	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	95 km	1.0 mi	0
May 19, 1986	EF1	23 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1984	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1983	EF1	82 km	0.5 mi	0
May 2, 1973	EF1	12 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1969	EF1	41 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 2024	EF0	100 km	0.0 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	99 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF0	93 km	2.1 mi	0
Oct 5, 2011	EF0	72 km	0.0 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	88 km	0.4 mi	0
Oct 7, 2010	EF0	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 2007	EF0	92 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 9, 1994	EF0	90 km	0.5 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	—	149 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	9.0 m	—	132 km
2009	COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA	Meteorological	3.6 m	—	145 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	96 km
2021	SHOVEL CREEK	109,829	91 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	75 km
2014	BIG COUGAR	65,397	94 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	77 km
2007	CHIMNEY COMPLEX	50,646	88 km
2015	KAMIAH GULCH	48,459	97 km
2017	POWERLINE	45,449	98 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	90 km
2015	FISHER	20,757	74 km
1986	JOSEPH CANYON 1	14,398	93 km
2021	BEDROCK	11,998	50 km
2015	LAWYER 2	11,378	97 km
2010	HUBBARD	10,824	78 km
2016	SNAKE RIVER FIRE	10,349	36 km
2023	GRAY	10,096	91 km
2016	FLETCHER ROAD	9,380	98 km
2014	WATERMELON HILL	9,321	81 km
2021	SILCOTT	8,864	55 km
2007	UNNAMED	8,547	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	2.8 in
February	34°F (1°C)	2.3 in
March	39°F (4°C)	2.2 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.0 in
June	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
July	67°F (19°C)	0.9 in	Warmest, Driest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.0 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.1 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.5 in
November	36°F (2°C)	3.0 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	3.0 in	Coldest, Wettest

Viola has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 29°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.0") and July the driest (0.9").

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