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Weather & Climate in Chico, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chico enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. The area gets 311 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 41.2 inches. The area receives 7.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 236 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
86°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 62.5°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 86°F (30°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Area | 33.1 sq mi (85.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,969/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7590°N, 121.8177°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Butte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
4,374 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 | 81 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 103 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 109 km | 25 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 97 km | 14 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 135 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 79 km | 4 km |
| Sep 4, 1995 | 13 km SW of Middletown, California | M4.8 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 15 km N of Potter Valley, California | M4.8 | 115 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2006 | 7 km W of Cobb, California | M4.7 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 89 km | 2 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 4 km NW of Cobb, CA | M4.7 | 130 km | 1 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 107 km | 25 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 6 km N of Geyserville, California | M4.6 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2004 | 4 km WNW of Cobb, California | M4.6 | 131 km | 3 km |
| Jan 12, 2014 | 8 km W of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Sep 25, 2012 | 3 km N of Talmage, California | M4.5 | 133 km | 11 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 92 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
54 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2011 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1994 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1986 | EF2 | 28 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1980 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1953 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | EF1 | 5 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 32 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 34 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 33 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 42 km | 26.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2005 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1993 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1993 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 34 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1978 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1978 | EF1 | 57 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 (86 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 86 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 120 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 186 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANCH (427,048 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | RANCH | 427,048 | 99 km |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 59 km |
| 2018 | CAMP | 153,687 | 22 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 31 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 65 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 47 km |
| 2008 | BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) | 52,091 | 34 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 54 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 41 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 78 km |
| 1999 | MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) | 34,459 | 45 km |
| 2012 | MILL | 29,924 | 85 km |
| 2012 | PONDEROSA | 28,690 | 74 km |
| 2012 | READING | 26,872 | 95 km |
| 2008 | CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH) | 26,418 | 54 km |
| 2001 | TROUGH | 25,270 | 86 km |
| 2008 | HUMBOLDT | 23,769 | 13 km |
| 1990 | FINLEY | 22,239 | 64 km |
| 2008 | CUB COMPLEX (CUB) | 20,772 | 56 km |
| 2012 | SIXTEEN COMPLEX | 18,191 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 86°F (30°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
Chico has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 46°F in December to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.0").