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Weather & Climate in Big Creek, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. The area gets 305 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 44.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,978 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 45.4°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,978 ft (1,517 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 180/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2036°N, 119.2485°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Madera County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,579 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 131 km | 4 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 96 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 53 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 105 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 105 km | 8 km |
| Feb 13, 2013 | 39 km N of Dyer, Nevada | M5.1 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 56 km | 4 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 56 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 1993 | 49km E of Big Pine, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 58 km | 4 km |
| Feb 16, 2016 | 8 km S of Wilkerson, California | M4.8 | 75 km | 15 km |
| Jan 6, 2022 | 8km ESE of Deep Springs, CA | M4.8 | 120 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 1993 | 48km ESE of Big Pine, California | M4.8 | 133 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
56 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 18 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 7 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 83 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1991 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1986 | EF1 | 81 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1982 | EF1 | 78 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1980 | EF1 | 64 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1979 | EF1 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1957 | EF1 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2019 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2018 | EF0 | 80 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2018 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 12, 2018 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | EF0 | 95 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (51 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 51 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 70 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 91 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 125 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 161 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 | 13 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 51 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 69 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 80 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 86 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 94 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 85 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 97 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 81 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (OAK) | 28,447 | 95 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 10 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 66 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 73 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 14 km |
| 2018 | LIONS | 14,252 | 43 km |
| 2017 | RAILROAD | 12,765 | 42 km |
| 2012 | INDIAN | 12,655 | 91 km |
| 2008 | TEHIPITE | 12,205 | 49 km |
| 1989 | POWERHOUSE | 11,532 | 22 km |
| 1986 | DEER | 10,963 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 6.1 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 5.6 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 4.8 in |
Big Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 34°F in January to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 33.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.1") and July the driest (0.2").