Sawtooth National Forest - Climate

Climate

Much of Sawtooth National Forest receives less than 15 inches (38 cm) of precipitation a year, with higher elevations typically receiving more precipitation. Summer and early fall are usually drier than winter in most of the forest, while in the lowlands of the Minidoka District, such as near Oakley, the spring may be the wettest season. Winter snowfall provides a steady water supply to the streams during the summer. Locally, climate may depend on mountains that block moist air and river valleys that can funnel weather systems. Dry lightning is common in summer and fall. The growing season ranges from 150 days in the lower valleys to less than 30 days in the highest alpine areas. The climate charts below are ordered (left to right) from highest to lowest in both latitude and elevation.

Stanley, Idaho
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
1.6 26 -1 1.3 33 0 1.1 42 9 1.1 50 20 1.3 60 28 1.2 68 33 0.6 79 36 0.6 78 33 0.8 69 27 1 56 21 1.5 39 12 1.6 26 -1
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: NOAA,
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
41 -3 -18 33 1 -18 29 5 -13 28 10 -7 32 15 -2 30 20 1 15 26 2 15 25 0 19 20 -3 25 14 -6 39 4 -11 40 -3 -18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Ketchum, Idaho
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
2.2 31 6 2 36 8 1.9 43 17 1.2 53 25 1.9 62 32 1.3 71 38 0.9 80 43 0.8 79 41 1.1 70 34 1.1 58 26 1.7 41 15 2.5 32 7
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: NOAA,
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
56 -0 -15 50 2 -13 47 6 -9 31 12 -4 48 17 0 34 22 3 22 27 6 19 26 5 28 21 1 27 15 -4 43 5 -9 64 -0 -14
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Fairfield, Idaho
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
2.4 29 5 1.7 34 8 1.3 42 17 1.1 55 27 1.3 66 35 0.9 75 40 0.5 86 46 0.4 84 44 0.6 75 35 0.8 63 27 1.8 44 18 2.3 32 8
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: NOAA,
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
60 -2 -15 43 1 -13 32 6 -9 27 13 -3 33 19 2 24 24 5 12 30 8 11 29 7 16 24 2 20 17 -3 46 7 -8 58 -0 -13
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Oakley, Idaho
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.8 38 19 0.7 43 23 0.9 51 28 1.3 60 33 1.6 68 40 1.2 77 47 0.7 86 55 0.8 85 53 0.8 76 45 0.8 65 36 0.8 49 27 0.8 40 21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: NOAA,
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
20 3 -7 17 6 -5 23 10 -2 32 15 1 40 20 5 31 25 8 19 30 13 19 30 12 19 24 7 21 18 2 20 9 -3 21 4 -6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm


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