Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cassel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 316 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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,185 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average
35°F (2°C)
July Average
69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
316 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
3,185 ft (971 m)
Area
2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density
99/sq mi
Coordinates
40.9250°N, 121.5485°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Shasta County County
Nearest Airport
Redding Regional (RDD) 49 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall19.3"
49% below US avg
Snowfall10.7"
Wettest Month (Jan)4.29"
Driest Month (Jul)0.16"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
93.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
41.1 / 100
Community Resilience
47.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively High
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Volcano
Relatively Moderate
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,170 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
91 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
88 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
147 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
90 km
6 km
Nov 26, 1998
7km NW of Redding, CA
M5.1
80 km
25 km
Sep 8, 2023
12 km NE of Burney, CA
M5.0
3 km
16 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
92 km
4 km
Jan 19, 2008
31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.7
128 km
2 km
Nov 26, 1998
5km NNW of Redding, CA
M4.6
79 km
25 km
Jan 19, 2008
34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.5
133 km
10 km
Jul 21, 1998
4 km NNW of Redding, California
M4.5
80 km
23 km
Aug 4, 2016
5 km WNW of Patton Village, California
M4.5
142 km
7 km
May 10, 2005
10 km NW of Burney, California
M4.4
18 km
17 km
Apr 5, 2024
6 km NW of Belden, CA
M4.4
101 km
8 km
Mar 27, 1997
14km SW of Manton, CA
M4.4
76 km
8 km
Dec 20, 2000
12 km NNW of Burney, California
M4.4
14 km
17 km
Nov 5, 1997
3 km ENE of East Quincy, California
M4.4
123 km
-1 km
Jun 14, 1991
8 km SW of Hat Creek, California
M4.4
16 km
11 km
Sep 8, 2023
12 km NE of Burney, CA
M4.3
5 km
12 km
Dec 20, 2000
11 km NNW of Burney, California
M4.3
14 km
18 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF0.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 5, 1978
EF0
84 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 (48 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
48 km
Shasta
Stratovolcano
4,317 m (14,163 ft)
1250
76 km
Medicine Lake
Shield
2,412 m (7,913 ft)
1060
76 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
88 km
2018
CARR
233,710
91 km
2021
ANTELOPE
141,960
82 km
2020
CALDWELL
81,870
91 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
97 km
2018
DELTA
63,732
77 km
1992
FOUNTAIN
62,340
27 km
1999
GUN 2
61,203
86 km
2012
BAGLEY
47,731
44 km
2018
HIRZ
46,700
62 km
1994
BARKLEY
44,256
91 km
2014
BALD
39,770
21 km
2018
STONE
39,455
71 km
2014
EILER
30,967
14 km
2017
COVE
30,884
60 km
2008
SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOTION)
29,346
85 km
2020
SHEEP
29,150
99 km
2012
PONDEROSA
28,690
59 km
2012
READING
26,872
43 km
1999
JONES
26,818
65 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
35°F (2°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
February
39°F (4°C)
3.4 in
March
43°F (6°C)
3.5 in
April
48°F (9°C)
1.9 in
May
56°F (13°C)
1.5 in
June
63°F (17°C)
0.9 in
July
69°F (21°C)
0.2 in
Warmest, Driest
August
68°F (20°C)
0.5 in
September
62°F (16°C)
0.9 in
October
52°F (11°C)
2.1 in
November
41°F (5°C)
3.8 in
December
35°F (1°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
Cassel has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 35°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.3") and July the driest (0.2").