Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chinese Camp enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 317 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 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,202 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
57.7°F
7% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
317 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,202 ft (366 m)
Area
0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density
68/sq mi
Coordinates
37.8702°N, 120.4442°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Merced County County
Nearest Airport
Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall32.8"
14% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan)5.20"
Driest Month (Jul)0.08"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
61.7 / 100
Community Resilience
7.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively High
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Drought
Very High
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Very Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,575 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
126 km
14 km
Jul 8, 2021
Antelope Valley, CA
M6.0
109 km
7 km
Oct 24, 1990
3 km NE of Mono City, California
M5.8
118 km
11 km
May 15, 1999
9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California
M5.5
148 km
3 km
Apr 18, 1990
5 km NNW of Aromas, California
M5.4
150 km
5 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km E of Interlaken, California
M5.1
149 km
7 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
120 km
-1 km
Jul 8, 2021
32km SE of Markleeville, CA
M5.0
109 km
7 km
Jan 16, 1993
9 km E of Gilroy, California
M4.9
131 km
7 km
Jun 9, 1998
8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California
M4.9
148 km
5 km
May 14, 2002
5 km SSW of Gilroy, California
M4.9
143 km
7 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km NNW of Aromas, California
M4.9
150 km
6 km
Jul 15, 1998
8 km W of Aspen Springs, California
M4.9
148 km
4 km
Nov 30, 1997
2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California
M4.9
134 km
5 km
Nov 22, 1997
3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California
M4.9
135 km
5 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
118 km
4 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
117 km
-1 km
Dec 31, 1997
9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California
M4.8
141 km
4 km
Apr 26, 2008
27km SE of Smith Valley, NV
M4.7
141 km
4 km
Mar 9, 2007
13 km SE of Walker, California
M4.7
113 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
61 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 27, 1953
EF2
55 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 11, 2023
EF1
10 km
0.8 mi
0
Jan 10, 2023
EF1
36 km
0.4 mi
0
Nov 15, 2015
EF1
50 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 14, 2006
EF1
55 km
0.5 mi
0
Dec 16, 2002
EF1
60 km
1.3 mi
0
Dec 12, 1996
EF1
37 km
0.6 mi
0
Nov 22, 1996
EF1
60 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 14, 1995
EF1
85 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1988
EF1
70 km
0.2 mi
0
Mar 4, 1978
EF1
62 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1978
EF1
43 km
2.5 mi
0
Mar 1, 1978
EF1
48 km
1.5 mi
0
May 31, 1967
EF1
76 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 22, 1967
EF1
90 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 1, 1958
EF1
53 km
2.0 mi
0
Jan 14, 2023
EF0
79 km
0.3 mi
0
Nov 8, 2022
EF0
92 km
0.8 mi
0
Nov 18, 2020
EF0
97 km
4.4 mi
0
May 18, 2020
EF0
79 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1868
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
4.5 m
30
147 km
1865
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
—
—
148 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Mono-Inyo Craters (125 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Mono-Inyo Craters
Lava dome(s)
2,796 m (9,173 ft)
1380
125 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
Pyroclastic cone(s)
2,121 m (6,959 ft)
1790
125 km
Mammoth Mountain
Lava dome(s)
3,369 m (11,053 ft)
1260
127 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2013
RIM
257,084
42 km
2021
CALDOR
226,583
96 km
2018
FERGUSON
97,307
62 km
2017
DETWILER
83,297
46 km
2015
BUTTE
72,894
46 km
1996
ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON)
58,161
55 km
1987
PAPER
49,296
28 km
1987
LARSON
49,250
47 km
1987
HAMM
39,333
35 km
2006
CANYON
36,851
98 km
2018
DONNELL
36,151
79 km
2008
TELEGRAPH
33,479
48 km
2022
OAK
19,408
63 km
1992
GULCH
18,019
35 km
1990
A-ROCK
17,706
61 km
1996
ROGGE
17,559
29 km
2004
POWER
17,266
72 km
2024
CORRAL
16,138
93 km
2001
DARBY
14,734
38 km
2017
RAILROAD
12,765
87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
5.2 in
Coldest, Wettest
February
48°F (9°C)
4.7 in
March
50°F (10°C)
4.7 in
April
55°F (13°C)
2.6 in
May
62°F (16°C)
0.6 in
June
70°F (21°C)
0.2 in
July
75°F (24°C)
0.1 in
Driest
August
77°F (25°C)
0.2 in
Warmest
September
72°F (22°C)
0.5 in
October
63°F (17°C)
1.6 in
November
52°F (11°C)
4.4 in
December
45°F (7°C)
4.2 in
Chinese Camp has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 44°F in January to 77°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (0.1").