Weather & Climate in Bowles, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bowles enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 67 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 19% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 279 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 65.0°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 537/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6089°N, 119.7526°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Fresno County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 67.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 19.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 79 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,933 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 104 km | 8 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 132 km | 3 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 99 km | 11 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 100 km | 8 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 6km SSW of Wasco, CA | M4.9 | 123 km | 22 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 99 km | 11 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Feb 16, 2016 | 8 km S of Wilkerson, California | M4.8 | 137 km | 15 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 12 km SE of Parkfield, California | M4.7 | 104 km | 6 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 11 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.7 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 128 km | 8 km |
| Jun 12, 2007 | 14km SE of Mammoth Lakes, CA | M4.6 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | California-Nevada border region | M4.5 | 136 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
70 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 90 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1980 | EF2 | 27 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 87 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 48 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 71 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1991 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1986 | EF1 | 11 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1982 | EF1 | 13 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1980 | EF1 | 18 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1979 | EF1 | 7 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 1, 1964 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1957 | EF1 | 12 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2019 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 95 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (130 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 130 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 131 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 148 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 167 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 | 92 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 82 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 85 km |
| 2017 | GARZA | 48,404 | 88 km |
| 2020 | MINERAL | 29,901 | 87 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 88 km |
| 1996 | SKYLINE | 21,694 | 73 km |
| 1985 | LOSGATOSIV | 20,357 | 79 km |
| 2024 | BOONE | 17,701 | 89 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 100 km |
| 1996 | PANOCHE II | 14,760 | 78 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 84 km |
| 2017 | RAILROAD | 12,765 | 93 km |
| 2008 | TEHIPITE | 12,205 | 92 km |
| 1989 | POWERHOUSE | 11,532 | 62 km |
| 1986 | DEER | 10,963 | 78 km |
| 2017 | ELM 2 | 10,765 | 83 km |
| 2021 | RIVER | 10,183 | 81 km |
| 2010 | SHEEP COMPLEX | 9,614 | 94 km |
| 2006 | THREE ROCKS | 9,336 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
Bowles has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 48°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.2") and August the driest (0.0").