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Weather & Climate in Chowchilla, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chowchilla enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°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 10.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 243 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Area | 7.7 sq mi (19.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,636/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1161°N, 120.2420°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Merced County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
6,988 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 144 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 5 km NNW of Aromas, California | M5.4 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 105 km | 9 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 131 km | 11 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Apr 19, 1996 | 2 km E of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 103 km | 7 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km NNW of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 131 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
82 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 84 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1980 | EF2 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 68 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 68 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 34 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 23 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 35 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 3 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1986 | EF1 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1982 | EF1 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1980 | EF1 | 60 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1979 | EF1 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 146 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 126 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (121 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 121 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 132 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 145 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 191 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CREEK (381,441 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CREEK | 381,441 | 94 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 92 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 69 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 49 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 96 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 90 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 74 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 77 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 58 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 89 km |
| 1985 | LOSGATOSIV | 20,357 | 87 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 58 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 76 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 88 km |
| 2003 | ANNIE | 17,383 | 90 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 59 km |
| 1996 | PANOCHE II | 14,760 | 69 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 81 km |
| 2017 | RAILROAD | 12,765 | 66 km |
| 1984 | BONANZA | 12,105 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in | Wettest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
Chowchilla has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 44°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.0") and July the driest (0.0").