Weather & Climate in Bear Valley CDP (Mariposa County), CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bear Valley CDP (Mariposa 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. Annual precipitation totals 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 46% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,300 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,300 ft (701 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 98/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5747°N, 120.1361°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Merced County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 45.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 35 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,601 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 | 145 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 105 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 116 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 139 km | -1 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 133 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 134 km | -1 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 112 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 75 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 53 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 60 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 44 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 72 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 84 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 52 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1980 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 65 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 61 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (98 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 98 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 101 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 108 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CREEK (381,441 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CREEK | 381,441 | 86 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 41 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 30 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 3 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 87 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 47 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 38 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 25 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 26 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 94 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 11 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 83 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 24 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 74 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 34 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 36 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 100 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 71 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 75 km |
| 2018 | LIONS | 14,252 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.6 in |
Bear Valley CDP (Mariposa County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 36°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.9") and July the driest (0.0").