Weather & Climate in Alta Sierra CDP (Kern County), CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alta Sierra CDP (Kern County) enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 21% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,672 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.3°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,672 ft (1,729 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7258°N, 118.5452°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kern County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 98 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 72.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 20.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 94 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,888 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 94 km | 11 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 80 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 88 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 85 km | 12 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 82 km | 21 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 96 km | -2 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 69 km | 2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 81 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 10km SSW of Valencia, California | M5.1 | 150 km | 11 km |
| Mar 7, 1998 | 30km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.0 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 25km SSW of Bodfish, California | M5.0 | 38 km | 3 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 |
| Nov 1, 1964 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1962 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2019 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2019 | EF0 | 83 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2010 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 27, 2008 | EF0 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1997 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1997 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 20, 1997 | EF0 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 44 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1996 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1995 | EF0 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF0 | 59 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1993 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1993 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1991 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1988 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (73 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 73 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 174 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CASTLE (174,424 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CASTLE | 174,424 | 57 km |
| 2002 | MCNALLY | 146,540 | 40 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 97,831 | 28 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 98 km |
| 2000 | MANTER | 76,158 | 40 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 26 km |
| 1997 | LOKERN | 46,139 | 98 km |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 93 km |
| 2017 | PIER | 36,626 | 46 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 32 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 29,191 | 8 km |
| 2021 | FRENCH | 27,331 | 4 km |
| 2011 | BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX | 27,229 | 40 km |
| 2011 | COMANCHE | 25,965 | 70 km |
| 1984 | BODFISH | 23,189 | 22 km |
| 1990 | STORMY | 23,157 | 9 km |
| 2017 | LION | 18,576 | 63 km |
| 2011 | LION | 17,671 | 64 km |
| 2010 | BULL | 17,238 | 13 km |
| 2017 | SCHAEFFER | 16,100 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 2.3 in | |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
Alta Sierra CDP (Kern County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.4") and August the driest (0.1").