Weather & Climate in Bucks Lake, CA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Bucks Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 276 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 82.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.0 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 5,248 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	52.6°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,248 ft (1,600 m)
Area	10.4 sq mi (26.8 km²)
Population Density	2/sq mi
Coordinates	39.8796°N, 121.1991°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 82.5"

117% above US avg

Snowfall 82.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.80"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	93.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.0 / 100
Community Resilience	60.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
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

1,892 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	37 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	37 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	50 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	36 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	132 km	25 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	115 km	3 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	123 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	35 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	116 km	3 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	148 km	5 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	119 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	114 km	-2 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	132 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	89 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	131 km	25 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	137 km	10 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	132 km	23 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	102 km	-1 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	89 km	7 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	128 km	17 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

49 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	48 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	51 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	73 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	85 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	55 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	93 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	87 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	83 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	93 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	93 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	98 km	2.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	87 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	95 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	89 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	64 km	5.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (73 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	73 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	169 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	190 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	195 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	DIXIE	979,795	57 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	18 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	35 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	56 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	87 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	24 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	55 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	61 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	57 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	21 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	18 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	91 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	95 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	55 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	80 km
1988	49R	36,673	71 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	10 km
2020	SHEEP	29,150	65 km
2012	PONDEROSA	28,690	78 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	98 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	9.8 in	Wettest
February	36°F (2°C)	7.7 in
March	38°F (3°C)	7.7 in
April	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.8 in
June	58°F (14°C)	1.0 in
July	69°F (20°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.5 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.1 in
October	51°F (10°C)	3.5 in
November	40°F (5°C)	7.9 in
December	35°F (2°C)	8.5 in	Coldest

Bucks Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 35°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.8") and July the driest (0.2").

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