Weather & Climate in Chester, CA

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

Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 275 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 34.3 inches. The area receives 109.6 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 4,529 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	47.7°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,529 ft (1,380 m)
Area	7.4 sq mi (19.1 km²)
Population Density	277/sq mi
Coordinates	40.3017°N, 121.2325°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Plumas County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 49 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.3"

10% below US avg

Snowfall 109.6"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.97"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.4 / 100
Community Resilience	69.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,738 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	19 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	15 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	76 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	16 km	6 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	140 km	3 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	106 km	25 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	78 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	19 km	4 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	138 km	5 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	141 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	148 km	-2 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	126 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	122 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	105 km	25 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	131 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	125 km	-1 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	106 km	23 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	88 km	7 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	84 km	17 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km NW of Belden, CA	M4.4	30 km	8 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: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	85 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	81 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	76 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	92 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	79 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2021	EF0	94 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	77 km	2.7 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 29, 2014	EF0	81 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 25, 2014	EF0	76 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 4, 2013	EF0	85 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 19, 2013	EF0	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 8, 2005	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1998	EF0	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 10, 1994	EF0	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (32 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	32 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	147 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	148 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	198 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	31 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	65 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	68 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	58 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	97 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	23 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	43 km
1992	FOUNTAIN	62,340	80 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	50 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	60 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	53 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	31 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	49 km
2014	BALD	39,770	64 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	82 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	47 km
2014	EILER	30,967	62 km
2020	SHEEP	29,150	46 km
2012	PONDEROSA	28,690	48 km
2012	READING	26,872	32 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	7.0 in	Wettest
February	34°F (1°C)	5.7 in
March	38°F (3°C)	5.4 in
April	43°F (6°C)	2.6 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.4 in
June	58°F (14°C)	0.9 in
July	67°F (20°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.1 in
October	48°F (9°C)	2.8 in
November	38°F (3°C)	5.9 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	6.0 in	Coldest

Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 32°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.0") and July the driest (0.2").

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