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Weather & Climate in Bear Valley CDP (Alpine County), CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bear Valley CDP (Alpine County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 290 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 55.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 104.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 7,456 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.3°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,456 ft (2,273 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 16/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4723°N, 120.0518°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Amador County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,871 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Sep 12, 1994 | 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada | M6.1 | 52 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 48 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 93 km | 11 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 131 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 45 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 48 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 46 km | 4 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 44 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 93 km | -2 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: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 96 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1964 | EF1 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 84 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 56 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2005 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1989 | EF0 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1980 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 1972 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1972 | EF0 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (104 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 104 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 116 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 129 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 156 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 62 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 35 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 66 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 96 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 84 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 52 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 39 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 66 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 62 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 83 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 75 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 22 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 96 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 87 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 42 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 71 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 52 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 52 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 94 km |
| 2020 | NUMBERS | 18,998 | 60 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 6.2 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 5.9 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
Bear Valley CDP (Alpine County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.1") and July the driest (0.4").