All Countries
Weather & Climate in Benton, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 323 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 23.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 5,367 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,367 ft (1,636 m) |
| Area | 28.5 sq mi (73.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8224°N, 118.4877°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mono County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 99 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 46.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,509 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| May 15, 2020 | Monte Cristo Range, NV Earthquake | M6.5 | 68 km | 3 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 97 km | 4 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 117 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 61 km | 11 km |
| Aug 1, 1999 | 37 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.7 | 133 km | 8 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 44 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 30 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 27 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 27 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 33 km | 8 km |
| May 22, 2020 | 32 km ESE of Mina, Nevada | M5.1 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Aug 2, 1999 | 39 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.1 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Feb 13, 2013 | 39 km N of Dyer, Nevada | M5.1 | 44 km | 8 km |
| May 15, 2020 | 31 km SE of Mina, Nevada | M5.1 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 117 km | 7 km |
| May 20, 2020 | 38 km ESE of Mina, Nevada | M5.0 | 78 km | 12 km |
| Jun 30, 2020 | 29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada | M5.0 | 59 km | 8 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 40 km | 4 km |
| May 15, 2020 | 28 km SSE of Mina, Nevada | M4.9 | 60 km | 4 km |
| Jun 19, 2020 | 34 km SE of Mina, Nevada | M4.9 | 69 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 92 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2015 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2018 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | EF0 | 100 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1982 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono-Inyo Craters (48 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 48 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 52 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 52 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 128 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 164 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 193 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 | 85 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 90 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 97 km |
| 2018 | LIONS | 14,252 | 65 km |
| 2013 | SPRING PEAK | 13,901 | 59 km |
| 2012 | INDIAN | 12,655 | 35 km |
| 2019 | TABOOSE | 10,401 | 90 km |
| 2017 | EMPIRE | 9,685 | 99 km |
| 2001 | HOOVER COMPLEX (HOOVER) | 9,163 | 89 km |
| 2022 | RED | 8,495 | 90 km |
| 2017 | SOUTH FORK | 8,053 | 100 km |
| 1992 | RAINBOW | 7,870 | 58 km |
| 2006 | SAWMILL | 7,095 | 13 km |
| 2020 | BLUEJAY | 7,016 | 98 km |
| 2002 | INYO COMPLEX (FULLER) | 6,696 | 81 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (SAGE) | 6,531 | 75 km |
| 2015 | ROUND | 6,195 | 39 km |
| 2016 | OWENS RIVER | 6,163 | 38 km |
| 2019 | SPRINGS | 6,018 | 37 km |
| 2011 | JOHN | 5,784 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 51°F (11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 0.6 in | |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 1.3 in |
Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 29°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.6") and October the driest (0.5").