Weather & Climate in Butte Creek Canyon, CA

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

Butte Creek Canyon enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 290 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 56.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,025 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (9°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	47°F (9°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	290 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,025 ft (312 m)
Area	20.5 sq mi (53.1 km²)
Population Density	38/sq mi
Coordinates	39.7445°N, 121.7071°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.3"

48% above US avg

Snowfall 0.1"

Wettest Month (Jan) 5.98"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

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

4,359 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	74 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	72 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	94 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	72 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	115 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	105 km	14 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	135 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	72 km	4 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	148 km	7 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	124 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	147 km	-2 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	140 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	98 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	123 km	10 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	135 km	1 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	113 km	25 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	136 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	141 km	2 km
Sep 25, 2012	3 km N of Talmage, California	M4.5	141 km	11 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	115 km	23 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	18 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	28 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	36 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	40 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	13 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	42 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	39 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	37 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	94 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	76 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	76 km	2.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	41 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	49 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	43 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	55 km	5.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	8 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (85 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	85 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	126 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	190 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	96 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	50 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	12 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	34 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	58 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	98 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	49 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	26 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	48 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	42 km
1988	49R	36,673	70 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	37 km
2012	MILL	29,924	92 km
2012	PONDEROSA	28,690	76 km
2012	READING	26,872	93 km
2008	CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)	26,418	44 km
2001	TROUGH	25,270	94 km
2008	HUMBOLDT	23,769	5 km
1990	FINLEY	22,239	66 km
2008	CUB COMPLEX (CUB)	20,772	53 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (9°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	4.9 in
March	53°F (12°C)	5.0 in
April	58°F (15°C)	1.9 in
May	66°F (19°C)	1.0 in
June	74°F (23°C)	0.5 in
July	79°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	77°F (25°C)	0.2 in
September	73°F (23°C)	0.6 in
October	64°F (18°C)	1.8 in
November	52°F (11°C)	4.4 in
December	46°F (8°C)	4.4 in	Coldest

Butte Creek Canyon has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.0").

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