Weather & Climate in Cherokee, CA

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

Cherokee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 290 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 56.3 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 1,371 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (9°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	47°F (9°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	290 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,371 ft (418 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density	79/sq mi
Coordinates	39.6509°N, 121.5336°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.3"

48% above US avg

Snowfall 0.1"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.22"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	93.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.0 / 100
Community Resilience	60.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very 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

4,394 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	73 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	71 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	80 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	71 km	6 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	137 km	3 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	132 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	115 km	14 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	145 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	71 km	4 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	134 km	1 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	150 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	138 km	3 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	137 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	130 km	-2 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	144 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	116 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	107 km	10 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	138 km	1 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	130 km	25 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	140 km	3 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	10 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	15 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	54 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	79 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	31 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	48 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	53 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	49 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	64 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	77 km	4.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	54 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	59 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	23 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	53 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	15 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	39 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	15 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 (94 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	94 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	131 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	94 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	36 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	11 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	50 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	57 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	99 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	93 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	63 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	95 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	24 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	47 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	56 km
1988	49R	36,673	53 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	32 km
2012	PONDEROSA	28,690	88 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	99 km
2008	CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)	26,418	30 km
2008	HUMBOLDT	23,769	14 km
2007	ANTELOPE COMPLEX (WHEELER)	23,108	98 km
1990	FINLEY	22,239	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (9°C)	6.2 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in
March	54°F (12°C)	5.0 in
April	59°F (15°C)	2.1 in
May	67°F (19°C)	0.9 in
June	74°F (24°C)	0.4 in
July	79°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	78°F (26°C)	0.2 in
September	74°F (23°C)	0.6 in
October	65°F (18°C)	1.9 in
November	53°F (11°C)	4.7 in
December	46°F (8°C)	4.7 in	Coldest

Cherokee has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 46°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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