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Weather & Climate in Challenge-Brownsville, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Challenge-Brownsville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 293 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 46.3 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 2,528 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 58.7°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,528 ft (771 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 82/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4646°N, 121.2633°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Yuba County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively 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
2,972 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 | 83 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 | 68 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 114 km | 3 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 133 km | 14 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 81 km | 4 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 115 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 107 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 102 km | -2 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 146 km | 2 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 81 km | 10 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 4 km NW of Cobb, CA | M4.7 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Feb 18, 2004 | 4 km WNW of Cobb, California | M4.6 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Mar 21, 2020 | 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada | M4.5 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Nov 15, 1995 | 9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada | M4.5 | 105 km | -1 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Sep 19, 1992 | 7 km NW of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Mar 14, 2013 | 5 km W of Cobb, California | M4.4 | 150 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
64 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2011 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1994 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1986 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 1978 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1953 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 85 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 49 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 55 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 81 km | 26.4 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 79 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2005 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1993 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1993 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 19 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 27 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (116 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 116 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 141 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH COMPLEX (316,556 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 31 km |
| 2018 | CAMP | 153,687 | 41 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 80 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 86 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 70 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 68 km |
| 2007 | MOONLIGHT | 65,718 | 95 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 92 km |
| 2019 | WALKER | 58,747 | 91 km |
| 2008 | BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) | 52,091 | 46 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 63 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 93 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 84 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 25 km |
| 1999 | MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) | 34,459 | 47 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 69 km |
| 2008 | CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH) | 26,418 | 29 km |
| 2008 | HUMBOLDT | 23,769 | 45 km |
| 2007 | ANTELOPE COMPLEX (WHEELER) | 23,108 | 95 km |
| 2008 | CUB COMPLEX (CUB) | 20,772 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 9.8 in | Wettest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 7.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 7.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 7.6 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 8.6 in | Coldest |
Challenge-Brownsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 44°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.8") and July the driest (0.1").