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Weather & Climate in Cold Springs CDP (Tuolumne County), CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cold Springs CDP (Tuolumne County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 290 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 55.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 104.8 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 5,554 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.3°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,554 ft (1,693 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1613°N, 120.0535°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Calaveras County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively 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
5,391 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 | 81 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 62 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 83 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 123 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 75 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 62 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 71 km | -1 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 139 km | 4 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 127 km | -2 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 67 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 98 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2016 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 90 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2006 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2005 | EF0 | 98 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF0 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (91 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 91 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 98 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 107 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 184 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 | 28 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 66 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 95 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 62 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 68 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 49 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 68 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 35 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 28 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 49 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 41 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 32 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 62 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 58 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 99 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 63 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 82 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 71 km |
| 2020 | NUMBERS | 18,998 | 88 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 7.8 in | Wettest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 7.0 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 6.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 6.2 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 6.6 in | Coldest |
Cold Springs CDP (Tuolumne County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 36°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.8") and July the driest (0.3").