Weather & Climate in Calpine, CA

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

Calpine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 66°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 23.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,994 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	46.7°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,994 ft (1,522 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density	117/sq mi
Coordinates	39.6634°N, 120.4393°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Sierra County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.3"

39% below US avg

Snowfall 37.8"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.02"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.2 / 100
Community Resilience	31.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,623 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	116 km	14 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	79 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	83 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	22 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	82 km	6 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	46 km	3 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	117 km	-1 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	79 km	4 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	126 km	4 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	54 km	1 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	111 km	5 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	125 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	47 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	50 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	125 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	25 km	10 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	135 km	-2 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	33 km	-1 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	86 km	8 km
Sep 20, 1994	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.5	124 km	-1 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	98 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	28 km	0.4 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	89 km	4.0 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	89 km	5.0 mi	0
Nov 3, 1973	EF1	85 km	25.9 mi	0
Jul 16, 1973	EF1	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	80 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	68 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 2015	EF0	48 km	3.2 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	83 km	2.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF0	99 km	0.4 mi	0
Apr 27, 2005	EF0	79 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 2004	EF0	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 2002	EF0	64 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (129 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	129 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	135 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	82 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	59 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	97 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	39 km
2014	KING	99,070	82 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	58 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	81 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	73 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	67 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	49 km
2018	PERRY	53,734	82 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	88 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	83 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	22 km
1999	FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)	47,030	66 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	28 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	51 km
1988	49R	36,673	81 km
2016	TULE	35,341	76 km
2017	EARTHSTONE	35,305	79 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
February	31°F (-0°C)	5.2 in
March	35°F (2°C)	4.5 in
April	39°F (4°C)	2.1 in
May	46°F (8°C)	1.5 in
June	54°F (12°C)	0.9 in
July	66°F (19°C)	0.4 in	Warmest, Driest
August	62°F (17°C)	0.6 in
September	56°F (14°C)	0.9 in
October	48°F (9°C)	2.3 in
November	37°F (3°C)	5.0 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	5.1 in	Coldest

Calpine has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 30°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.4").

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