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Weather & Climate in Big River, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big River has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 95°F in July. The area gets 330 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 4.6 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 431 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
95°F Jul (35°C)
| Annual Average | 74.1°F |
| 37% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 95°F (35°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 431 ft (131 m) |
| Area | 11.4 sq mi (29.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 95/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.1398°N, 114.3621°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | La Paz County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laughlin/Bullhead International (IFP) 71 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
57 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Aug 26, 2012 | 41 km E of Twentynine Palms, California | M3.9 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jun 9, 2015 | 29km WNW of Desert Center, CA | M3.8 | 130 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2010 | 20km NW of Desert Center, CA | M3.5 | 117 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 1993 | 27km WNW of Desert Center, California | M3.4 | 125 km | -1 km |
| Apr 25, 2014 | 39km NW of Desert Center, CA | M3.3 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Jan 5, 2008 | 20km SE of Kingman, AZ | M3.2 | 112 km | 6 km |
| Jan 17, 2015 | 40 km N of Bagdad, Arizona | M3.1 | 137 km | 12 km |
| Aug 10, 2003 | 44 km SE of Valentine, Arizona | M3.0 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Mar 4, 2015 | 26 km ENE of Bagdad, Arizona | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Nov 12, 1990 | 23km SW of Amboy, CA | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2024 | 26 km WNW of Desert Center, CA | M3.0 | 124 km | -1 km |
| Jul 31, 2005 | 3km S of Niland, CA | M2.9 | 148 km | 13 km |
| Aug 4, 2014 | 24 km SSE of Valentine, Arizona | M2.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 2015 | 19 km E of Yucca, Arizona | M2.9 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2008 | 17 km E of Yucca, Arizona | M2.9 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2001 | 14km SW of Amboy, CA | M2.9 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Jul 13, 1992 | 21km NNW of Laughlin, Nevada | M2.9 | 137 km | 18 km |
| Oct 25, 1999 | 19km SSW of Amboy, California | M2.9 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Mar 12, 1991 | 38km NW of Desert Center, CA | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Nov 12, 1990 | 22km SW of Amboy, CA | M2.8 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 16, 1973 | EF3 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF1 | 88 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1983 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1979 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1972 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 2018 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2010 | EF0 | 78 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1997 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (156 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 156 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HARCUVAR (16,305 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | HARCUVAR | 16,305 | 92 km |
| 2015 | WILLOW | 6,084 | 79 km |
| 1995 | STOVE | 5,770 | 92 km |
| 2022 | LOST LAKE | 5,455 | 17 km |
| 1994 | WARM | 5,100 | 91 km |
| 2006 | CIBOLA | 4,703 | 96 km |
| 1995 | ICEHOUSE | 4,570 | 81 km |
| 2000 | DELUGE | 3,972 | 88 km |
| 2005 | BOSQUE | 3,381 | 52 km |
| 1998 | SOUTH DIKE | 3,148 | 74 km |
| 1995 | LOST LAKE | 2,846 | 16 km |
| 1999 | ARRASTRA | 2,556 | 52 km |
| 2002 | HIBERNIA | 2,340 | 97 km |
| 1994 | MCKENZIE | 2,082 | 93 km |
| 1994 | BLACK MESA | 1,657 | 50 km |
| 2006 | RXBURNING06 | 1,573 | 84 km |
| 2022 | PINE PEAK | 1,423 | 95 km |
| 2016 | TOPOCK | 1,422 | 68 km |
| 1986 | COLORADO 2 | 1,403 | 21 km |
| 1987 | THREE MILE | 1,392 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | Wettest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| June | 88°F (31°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 95°F (35°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 92°F (33°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 86°F (30°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Big River has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 54°F in December to 95°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.8") and June the driest (0.0").