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Weather & Climate in Carnelian Bay, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Carnelian Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 302 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 33.3 inches. The area receives 179.0 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 6,402 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
62°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,402 ft (1,951 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 332/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2352°N, 120.0782°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Sierra County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
2,925 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 | 59 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 95 km | 7 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 136 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 79 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 60 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 34 km | 3 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 95 km | 7 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 69 km | 4 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 6 km | 1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 34 km | 3 km |
| Feb 10, 1993 | 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada | M4.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 69 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 8 km | -2 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 68 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 107 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 90 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1973 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1964 | EF1 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 12 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2015 | EF0 | 79 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 29 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2005 | EF0 | 31 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2004 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2002 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 2000 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1999 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1998 | EF0 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1997 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (109 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 109 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 165 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 184 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 186 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 60 km |
| 2021 | SUGAR | 108,368 | 81 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 53 km |
| 2017 | TRUCKEE | 98,411 | 97 km |
| 2017 | LONG VALLEY | 80,456 | 85 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 57 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 67 km |
| 2018 | PERRY | 53,734 | 80 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 42 km |
| 1999 | FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) | 47,030 | 91 km |
| 2020 | LOYALTON | 45,484 | 52 km |
| 1987 | CLARK | 39,194 | 99 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 97 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 97 km |
| 2016 | TULE | 35,341 | 92 km |
| 2017 | EARTHSTONE | 35,305 | 62 km |
| 2020 | NORTH | 34,120 | 69 km |
| 1985 | GOOSEBERRY | 29,290 | 66 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 45 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 62°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
Carnelian Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 30°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (0.4").