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Weather & Climate in Columbia, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 326 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 29.8 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 2,093 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.0°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,093 ft (638 m) |
| Area | 6.0 sq mi (15.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 444/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0312°N, 120.4134°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Calaveras County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 51 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
4,716 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 | 110 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 113 km | 11 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 103 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 102 km | 4 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 143 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 143 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 101 km | -1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 144 km | -2 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 103 km | -1 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 137 km | 9 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA | M4.6 | 91 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 97 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 66 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 58 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 84 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (121 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 121 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 124 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 129 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 | 41 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 78 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 69 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 59 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 30 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 97 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 54 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 28 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 53 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 41 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 65 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 59 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 92 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 97 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 89 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 73 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 92 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 18 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 66 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 30 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 5.8 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.6 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 5.5 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 44°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.5") and July the driest (0.1").