Weather & Climate in Chilcoot-Vinton, CA

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

Chilcoot-Vinton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 330 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 14.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 5,079 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	50.3°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,079 ft (1,548 m)
Area	13.2 sq mi (34.2 km²)
Population Density	29/sq mi
Coordinates	39.8067°N, 120.1389°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Sierra County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.3"

62% below US avg

Snowfall 25.6"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.52"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.2 / 100
Community Resilience	31.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,443 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Sep 12, 1994	4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada	M6.1	118 km	14 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	89 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	94 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	41 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	93 km	6 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	121 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	36 km	3 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	90 km	4 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	128 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	37 km	3 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	59 km	1 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	128 km	-1 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	82 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	56 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	127 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	41 km	10 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	137 km	-2 km
Sep 20, 1994	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.5	126 km	-1 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	22 km	-1 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	85 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	8 km	0.4 mi	0
Nov 3, 1973	EF1	55 km	25.9 mi	0
Jul 16, 1973	EF1	39 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	87 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 2015	EF0	19 km	3.2 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	93 km	2.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2005	EF0	75 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 2004	EF0	34 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	34 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 2002	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 10, 2000	EF0	43 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1999	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 30, 1998	EF0	31 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 9, 1997	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1995	EF0	90 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (113 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	113 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	139 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	84 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	85 km
2012	RUSH	306,811	89 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	17 km
2017	TRUCKEE	98,411	81 km
2017	TOHAKUM 2	92,711	83 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	28 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	96 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	98 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	69 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	49 km
2018	PERRY	53,734	55 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	23 km
1999	FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)	47,030	36 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	12 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	36 km
2016	TULE	35,341	46 km
2017	EARTHSTONE	35,305	58 km
2020	NORTH	34,120	14 km
1985	GOOSEBERRY	29,290	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
February	34°F (1°C)	2.2 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.8 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
May	51°F (10°C)	1.0 in
June	59°F (15°C)	0.7 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in	Warmest, Driest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
September	60°F (16°C)	0.7 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	39°F (4°C)	2.3 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	2.2 in	Coldest

Chilcoot-Vinton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 31°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.4").

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