All Countries
Weather & Climate in Wells, NV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wells has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 322 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 9.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,632 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.8°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 322 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,632 ft (1,717 m) |
| Area | 6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 172/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.1132°N, 114.9535°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Elko County County |
| Nearest Airport | Elko Regional (EKO) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
464 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.9.
| Feb 21, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Wells, Nevada | M5.9 | 8 km | 8 km |
| Feb 21, 2008 | 10 km ENE of Wells, Nevada | M5.1 | 10 km | 0 km |
| Feb 22, 2008 | 4 km ENE of Wells, Nevada | M4.8 | 3 km | 11 km |
| Aug 30, 2025 | 51 km NE of Valmy, Nevada | M4.8 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Aug 31, 2021 | 25 km S of Wells, Nevada | M4.7 | 26 km | 7 km |
| Nov 4, 1992 | 67 km ENE of Montello, Nevada | M4.7 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Feb 21, 2008 | 4 km NE of Wells, Nevada | M4.6 | 4 km | 13 km |
| Feb 21, 2008 | 5 km E of Wells, Nevada | M4.6 | 4 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 1997 | 43 km ESE of Lamoille, Nevada | M4.4 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Oct 8, 2001 | 36 km NNW of Osino, Nevada | M4.3 | 77 km | 0 km |
| Apr 17, 1997 | 34 km E of Crescent Valley, Nevada | M4.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Feb 23, 2008 | 9 km NE of Wells, Nevada | M4.3 | 9 km | 11 km |
| Feb 22, 2008 | 5 km E of Wells, Nevada | M4.3 | 4 km | 12 km |
| Feb 21, 2008 | 5 km ENE of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 4 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 6 km | 8 km |
| Apr 1, 2008 | 16 km NE of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 16 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 13 km NE of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 13 km | 9 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 6 km ESE of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 6 km | 9 km |
| Feb 24, 2008 | 6 km E of Wells, Nevada | M4.1 | 6 km | 0 km |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 4 km ENE of Wells, Nevada | M4.0 | 4 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
20 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 24, 2023 | EF1 | 40 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1987 | EF1 | 52 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1979 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1977 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1970 | EF1 | 72 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2021 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2014 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2014 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2009 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2009 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2004 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1998 | EF0 | 2 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1996 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1993 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1992 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1991 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1987 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1987 | EF0 | 20 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1987 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WINECUP COMPLEX (WEST FORK) (159,805 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | WINECUP COMPLEX (WEST FORK) | 159,805 | 99 km |
| 2006 | CHARLESTON | 154,036 | 53 km |
| 2018 | GOOSE CREEK | 131,432 | 95 km |
| 2006 | SUZIE | 81,760 | 96 km |
| 2000 | NORTHEAST ELKO COUNTY ZONE (COUNTY ZONE) | 67,886 | 22 km |
| 2007 | HIGHWAY 93 COMPLEX (WEST BASIN) | 63,143 | 96 km |
| 2007 | MURPHY COMPLEX (SCOTT CREEK) | 59,642 | 92 km |
| 2008 | EAST SLIDE ROCK RIDGE WFU | 55,098 | 83 km |
| 2017 | DRY GULCH | 55,066 | 91 km |
| 2006 | BASCO | 47,655 | 86 km |
| 2007 | HEPWORTH COMPLEX (HEPWORTH) | 40,305 | 26 km |
| 2006 | MARBLE | 39,366 | 37 km |
| 1992 | COFFEE POT | 37,655 | 98 km |
| 1996 | DIVISION | 34,139 | 83 km |
| 2000 | CHOKE CHERRY | 32,100 | 99 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CREEK | 31,760 | 73 km |
| 2017 | TABOR FLATS | 25,182 | 34 km |
| 2001 | STAG | 21,314 | 48 km |
| 2007 | HIGHWAY 93 COMPLEX (ECCLES) | 20,121 | 63 km |
| 2022 | WILDCAT | 20,008 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 1.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 56°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in |
Wells has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 24°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.3") and July the driest (0.6").