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Weather & Climate in Bishop, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bishop enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 4.8 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 4,147 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.3°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,147 ft (1,264 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,039/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3664°N, 118.3958°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mono County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 84 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
7,211 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| May 15, 2020 | Monte Cristo Range, NV Earthquake | M6.5 | 101 km | 3 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 59 km | 4 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 100 km | 11 km |
| Aug 1, 1999 | 37 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.7 | 116 km | 8 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 41 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 76 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 77 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 118 km | -2 km |
| May 15, 2020 | 31 km SE of Mina, Nevada | M5.1 | 102 km | 7 km |
| May 22, 2020 | 32 km ESE of Mina, Nevada | M5.1 | 110 km | 7 km |
| Aug 2, 1999 | 39 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.1 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Feb 13, 2013 | 39 km N of Dyer, Nevada | M5.1 | 79 km | 8 km |
| Oct 1, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.0 | 119 km | 4 km |
| May 20, 2020 | 38 km ESE of Mina, Nevada | M5.0 | 109 km | 12 km |
| Jun 30, 2020 | 29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada | M5.0 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2020 | 34 km SE of Mina, Nevada | M4.9 | 102 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 | 84 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 72 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2018 | EF0 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | EF0 | 49 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2004 | EF0 | 82 km | — | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1982 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (63 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 63 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 74 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 90 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 92 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 112 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 | 73 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 72 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 95 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (OAK) | 28,447 | 59 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 77 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 86 km |
| 2018 | LIONS | 14,252 | 72 km |
| 2012 | INDIAN | 12,655 | 77 km |
| 2008 | TEHIPITE | 12,205 | 60 km |
| 1989 | POWERHOUSE | 11,532 | 99 km |
| 1986 | DEER | 10,963 | 73 km |
| 2019 | TABOOSE | 10,401 | 39 km |
| 2005 | COMB COMPLEX | 10,211 | 64 km |
| 2010 | SHEEP COMPLEX | 9,614 | 71 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 8,742 | 80 km |
| 1985 | ONION | 8,583 | 71 km |
| 1992 | RAINBOW | 7,870 | 65 km |
| 2006 | SAWMILL | 7,095 | 53 km |
| 2002 | INYO COMPLEX (FULLER) | 6,696 | 29 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (SAGE) | 6,531 | 24 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 1.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 53°F (11°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Bishop has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.2") and June the driest (0.2").