Weather & Climate in Carter Springs, NV

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

Carter Springs experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 330 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 9.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,525 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	50.1°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,525 ft (1,684 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density	163/sq mi
Coordinates	38.8619°N, 119.6411°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Douglas County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.3"

75% below US avg

Snowfall 21.8"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.01"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.5 / 100
Community Resilience	27.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

3,863 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	5 km	14 km
Jul 8, 2021	Antelope Valley, CA	M6.0	41 km	7 km
Oct 24, 1990	3 km NE of Mono City, California	M5.8	100 km	11 km
Sep 18, 2004	27 km NW of Benton, California	M5.4	127 km	3 km
Sep 18, 2004	27 km NW of Benton, California	M5.4	127 km	0 km
Apr 11, 2020	30km SE of Bodie, CA	M5.2	120 km	8 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	135 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	11 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	78 km	3 km
Jul 8, 2021	32km SE of Markleeville, CA	M5.0	41 km	7 km
Nov 30, 1997	2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	149 km	5 km
Nov 22, 1997	3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	150 km	5 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	16 km	4 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	59 km	1 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	16 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	77 km	3 km
Oct 1, 2011	7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada	M4.8	76 km	4 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	63 km	-2 km
Apr 26, 2008	27km SE of Smith Valley, NV	M4.7	52 km	4 km
Mar 9, 2007	13 km SE of Walker, California	M4.7	54 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

23 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 5, 2015	EF1	98 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 16, 1973	EF1	83 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF1	41 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	35 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	45 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	39 km	2.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2005	EF0	40 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 2004	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 2002	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 10, 2000	EF0	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1999	EF0	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 30, 1998	EF0	87 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1997	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 9, 1997	EF0	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1995	EF0	72 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 1989	EF0	31 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (100 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	100 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	110 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	129 km
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	147 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	58 km
2014	KING	99,070	78 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	93 km
2021	TAMARACK	70,171	18 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	95 km
2018	DONNELL	36,151	56 km
2017	EARTHSTONE	35,305	82 km
1985	GOOSEBERRY	29,290	74 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	87 km
2020	SLINK	26,437	38 km
2013	BISON	23,611	16 km
2002	CANNON	23,605	46 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	69 km
2008	AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)	20,709	91 km
2020	NUMBERS	18,998	5 km
2015	WASHINGTON	18,485	25 km
1985	HUNGRY VA3	18,177	99 km
2004	POWER	17,266	68 km
1984	INDIAN	16,990	7 km
2001	STAR	16,846	78 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	2.0 in	Wettest
February	34°F (1°C)	1.8 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.4 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.7 in
May	51°F (11°C)	0.8 in
June	60°F (16°C)	0.7 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in	Warmest, Driest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.5 in
September	60°F (16°C)	0.6 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.7 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.5 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	1.6 in	Coldest

Carter Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 31°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.0") and July the driest (0.4").

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