Weather & Climate in Butte Meadows, CA

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

Butte Meadows experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 271 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 50.1 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 4,386 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	46.2°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,386 ft (1,337 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density	10/sq mi
Coordinates	40.0853°N, 121.5427°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.1"

32% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.84"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

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

1,771 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	43 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	39 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	85 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	40 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	95 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	137 km	14 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	97 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	41 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	99 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	126 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	94 km	25 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	137 km	-1 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	95 km	23 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	104 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	113 km	7 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	97 km	17 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km NW of Belden, CA	M4.4	21 km	8 km
Mar 27, 1997	14km SW of Manton, CA	M4.4	46 km	8 km
Nov 5, 1997	3 km ENE of East Quincy, California	M4.4	60 km	-1 km
Jun 14, 1991	8 km SW of Hat Creek, California	M4.4	78 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	55 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	47 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	58 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	40 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	72 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	76 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	74 km	1.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	74 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	84 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	80 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	63 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	86 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF1	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	43 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 28, 1970	EF1	85 km	2.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (45 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	45 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	157 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	163 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	170 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	63 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	54 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	38 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	24 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	29 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	70 km
1992	FOUNTAIN	62,340	89 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	25 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	82 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	99 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	27 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	23 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	19 km
2014	BALD	39,770	89 km
1988	49R	36,673	98 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	30 km
2014	EILER	30,967	79 km
2020	SHEEP	29,150	77 km
2012	PONDEROSA	28,690	43 km
2012	READING	26,872	53 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	9.8 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	39°F (4°C)	7.7 in
March	41°F (5°C)	7.7 in
April	45°F (7°C)	4.1 in
May	53°F (12°C)	1.8 in
June	61°F (16°C)	0.9 in
July	63°F (17°C)	0.2 in	Driest
August	66°F (19°C)	0.6 in	Warmest
September	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	53°F (11°C)	3.7 in
November	42°F (5°C)	8.5 in
December	37°F (3°C)	8.7 in

Butte Meadows has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 33°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 55.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.8") and July the driest (0.2").

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