Weather & Climate in Colfax, CA

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

Colfax enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 293 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 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,381 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,381 ft (726 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density	1,486/sq mi
Coordinates	39.0938°N, 120.9532°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Placer County County
Nearest Airport	Sacramento International (SMF) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.9"

21% above US avg

Snowfall 7.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.58"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	93.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	16.6 / 100
Community Resilience	83.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,803 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	117 km	14 km
Jul 8, 2021	Antelope Valley, CA	M6.0	142 km	7 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	122 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	124 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	85 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	123 km	6 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	99 km	3 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	114 km	-1 km
Jul 8, 2021	32km SE of Markleeville, CA	M5.0	141 km	7 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	150 km	9 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	121 km	4 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	121 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	100 km	3 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	81 km	1 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	120 km	-1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	78 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	121 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	69 km	10 km
Jul 8, 2021	29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA	M4.6	140 km	2 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	130 km	-2 km

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

Tornado History

60 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	61 km	1.9 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 24, 2015	EF1	46 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	50 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	13 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	59 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	45 km	5.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	71 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	50 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1983	EF1	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 28, 1970	EF1	78 km	2.3 mi	0
Jan 14, 2023	EF0	88 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 8, 2022	EF0	91 km	0.8 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	52 km	4.4 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	81 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (158 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	158 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	163 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	186 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH COMPLEX (316,556 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	72 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	71 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	90 km
2014	KING	99,070	40 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	23 km
2015	BUTTE	72,894	97 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	94 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	86 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	99 km
1988	49R	36,673	28 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	93 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	32 km
2008	CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)	26,418	73 km
2008	HUMBOLDT	23,769	92 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	54 km
2008	AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)	20,709	33 km
2004	POWER	17,266	88 km
2001	STAR	16,846	40 km
2017	CASCADE	16,155	47 km
2001	MARTIS	14,526	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	8.6 in	Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	7.5 in
March	48°F (9°C)	7.1 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.2 in
May	60°F (16°C)	1.4 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.6 in
July	77°F (25°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.2 in
September	69°F (21°C)	0.9 in
October	61°F (16°C)	2.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	6.7 in
December	44°F (7°C)	7.2 in	Coldest

Colfax has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 44°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.6") and July the driest (0.2").

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