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Weather & Climate in Big Bend, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 308 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 28.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.5 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 2,036 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.0°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,036 ft (621 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 23/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0116°N, 121.9304°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Shasta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Redding Regional (RDD) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,376 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.9.
| Sep 21, 1993 | 27 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M6.0 | 150 km | 9 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 22 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.9 | 145 km | 9 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 117 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 113 km | 6 km |
| Apr 30, 2008 | 3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California | M5.4 | 133 km | 28 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 115 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 59 km | 25 km |
| Dec 4, 1993 | 20 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 32 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 113 km | 2 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 59 km | 25 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | 4 km NNW of Redding, California | M4.5 | 59 km | 23 km |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 8 km ESE of Mad River, California | M4.5 | 140 km | 36 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 16 km | 17 km |
| Mar 9, 1992 | 8 km SE of Hyampom, California | M4.4 | 131 km | 33 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 76 km | 8 km |
| Jun 14, 1991 | 8 km SW of Hat Creek, California | M4.4 | 37 km | 11 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: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 2013 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1978 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Shasta (49 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 49 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 68 km |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 74 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARR (233,710 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | CARR | 233,710 | 65 km |
| 2021 | HAYPRESS | 204,549 | 89 km |
| 2021 | ANTELOPE | 141,960 | 71 km |
| 2020 | CALDWELL | 81,870 | 90 km |
| 2018 | DELTA | 63,732 | 45 km |
| 1992 | FOUNTAIN | 62,340 | 20 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 93 km |
| 2020 | ZOGG | 56,941 | 88 km |
| 2012 | BAGLEY | 47,731 | 11 km |
| 2018 | HIRZ | 46,700 | 29 km |
| 2014 | BALD | 39,770 | 54 km |
| 2018 | STONE | 39,455 | 89 km |
| 2008 | SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON) | 36,514 | 81 km |
| 2014 | WHITES | 34,506 | 99 km |
| 2014 | EILER | 30,967 | 39 km |
| 2017 | COVE | 30,884 | 83 km |
| 2008 | SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOTION) | 29,346 | 60 km |
| 2012 | PONDEROSA | 28,690 | 67 km |
| 2012 | READING | 26,872 | 67 km |
| 1999 | JONES | 26,818 | 47 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 7.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 6.4 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 6.6 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 6.7 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 7.3 in |
Big Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 34°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.7") and July the driest (0.3").