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Weather & Climate in Benbow, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benbow enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 269 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 65.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,482 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 56.1°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,482 ft (452 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 82/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0603°N, 123.7654°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Humboldt County County |
| Nearest Airport | Redding Regional (RDD) 83 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively High |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,456 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.
| Apr 25, 1992 | The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake | M7.2 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Mar 10, 2014 | 77 km WNW of Indianola, California | M6.8 | 144 km | 16 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 32 km SW of Ferndale, California | M6.6 | 76 km | 22 km |
| Jan 10, 2010 | The 2010 Eureka, California Earthquake | M6.5 | 103 km | 29 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 30 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M6.5 | 80 km | 19 km |
| Aug 17, 1991 | 30 km SSW of Scotia, California | M6.0 | 49 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 2010 | 61 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M5.9 | 109 km | 23 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 69km W of Petrolia, CA | M5.8 | 119 km | 3 km |
| Jan 28, 2015 | 40 km SW of Ferndale, California | M5.7 | 77 km | 17 km |
| Mar 16, 2000 | 85 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M5.7 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Feb 13, 2012 | 26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California | M5.6 | 120 km | 27 km |
| Jan 22, 1997 | 33 km SW of Scotia, California | M5.6 | 57 km | 23 km |
| Jun 23, 2019 | 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA | M5.6 | 51 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1990 | 30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.4 | 50 km | 4 km |
| Apr 30, 2008 | 3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California | M5.4 | 89 km | 28 km |
| Dec 26, 1994 | 7 km WNW of Fields Landing, California | M5.4 | 88 km | 23 km |
| Nov 27, 1998 | 87 km W of Ferndale, California | M5.4 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Jan 13, 2001 | off the coast of Northern California | M5.4 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Feb 26, 2007 | 52km W of Ferndale, CA | M5.4 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2007 | 51 km W of Ferndale, California | M5.4 | 113 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
2 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 2018 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1992 | CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 58 km |
| 2024 | CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 112 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (148 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 148 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 197 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | AUGUST COMPLEX | 1,068,802 | 64 km |
| 2021 | MONUMENT | 226,125 | 85 km |
| 2021 | MCFARLAND | 121,554 | 76 km |
| 2008 | YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON) | 94,888 | 67 km |
| 1987 | MENDENHALL | 54,162 | 85 km |
| 2012 | NORTH PASS | 43,689 | 64 km |
| 2017 | REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT | 36,545 | 93 km |
| 2015 | ROUTE COMPLEX | 35,444 | 63 km |
| 2008 | IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (EAGLE) | 32,397 | 89 km |
| 2015 | PATTISON | 31,129 | 77 km |
| 2008 | IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (BUCKHORN) | 29,446 | 96 km |
| 2008 | LIME COMPLEX (LIME) | 27,234 | 57 km |
| 2008 | LIME COMPLEX (MINERS) | 25,680 | 77 km |
| 2008 | IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (CEDAR) | 25,277 | 84 km |
| 2015 | SHIELL | 24,830 | 75 km |
| 2015 | LASSICS | 20,716 | 35 km |
| 2017 | HELENA | 18,709 | 99 km |
| 2006 | HUNTER | 16,757 | 84 km |
| 1999 | BIG BAR COMPLEX (ONION) | 16,742 | 97 km |
| 2008 | HELLS HALF FIRE (HALF) | 14,873 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 12.1 in | |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 9.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 9.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 10.8 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 12.1 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Benbow has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 43°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 66.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (12.1") and July the driest (0.1").