All Countries
Weather & Climate in Buena Vista, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buena Vista enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 326 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 22.9 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 370 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 370 ft (113 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 369/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2975°N, 120.9174°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Amador County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sacramento International (SMF) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,068 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Sep 12, 1994 | 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada | M6.1 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Aug 24, 2014 | The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 122 km | 11 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 118 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 131 km | 9 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 119 km | -1 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 133 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 133 km | -2 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 137 km | 7 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 126 km | 8 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 122 km | -1 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 128 km | 9 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA | M4.6 | 121 km | 2 km |
| Dec 12, 1996 | 4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.6 | 125 km | -2 km |
| Jul 9, 2021 | 30km SE of Markleeville, CA | M4.6 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 15 km SW of Westley, CA | M4.5 | 101 km | 4 km |
| Mar 21, 2020 | 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada | M4.5 | 137 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
67 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 1978 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 53 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 28 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 49 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 85 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 2010 | EF1 | 86 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1983 | EF1 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 75 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 70 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 20 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.5 m | 30 | 123 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 150 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (168 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 168 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 174 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 177 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 181 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 93 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 72 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 78 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 85 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 29 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 81 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 94 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 96 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 98 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 73 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 41 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 83 km |
| 2004 | POWER | 17,266 | 60 km |
| 2001 | STAR | 16,846 | 97 km |
| 2024 | CORRAL | 16,138 | 88 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 55 km |
| 2006 | ZAM ASSIST | 14,404 | 100 km |
| 2018 | WAVERLY | 12,238 | 34 km |
| 2009 | CORRAL | 12,006 | 93 km |
| 2023 | QUARRY | 11,098 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
Buena Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 46°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.6") and July the driest (0.1").