Weather & Climate in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), CA

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

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°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 6.7 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 385 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	65.1°F
	21% above US avg
January Average	49°F (9°C)
July Average	84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	385 ft (117 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	7,954/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3456°N, 118.9859°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Kern County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 80 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.7"

83% below US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 1.46"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.1 / 100
Community Resilience	6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

8,165 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M7.1	134 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	132 km	18 km
Jul 4, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M6.4	140 km	11 km
Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	135 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	127 km	5 km
Sep 20, 1995	16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California	M5.8	130 km	5 km
Jul 11, 1992	12km NW of California City, California	M5.7	85 km	10 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	116 km	9 km
Jun 4, 2020	17km S of Searles Valley, CA	M5.5	144 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2019	15km ESE of Little Lake, CA	M5.5	128 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2019	20km E of Little Lake, CA	M5.4	133 km	7 km
Jul 5, 2019	16km W of Searles Valley, CA	M5.4	136 km	7 km
Aug 17, 1995	17km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.4	129 km	5 km
Nov 27, 1996	27km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.3	145 km	0 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	111 km	11 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	132 km	12 km
Mar 6, 1998	28km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.2	146 km	0 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	28 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	117 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	24 km	21 km

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

Tornado History

16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 1, 1964	EF1	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	21 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	74 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 9, 2012	EF0	89 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 27, 2010	EF0	26 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2007	EF0	90 km	13.1 mi	0
Apr 3, 1999	EF0	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 22, 1997	EF0	53 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 17, 1997	EF0	3 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF0	15 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1996	EF0	97 km	0.3 mi	0
May 13, 1995	EF0	72 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 23, 1993	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 1993	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 20, 1988	EF0	45 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	150 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	132 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (128 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Golden Trout Creek	Volcanic field	2,886 m (9,469 ft)	-5550	128 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ZACA (241,846 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	ZACA	241,846	95 km
2006	DAY	159,713	81 km
2002	MCNALLY	146,540	96 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	99 km
2021	WINDY	97,831	78 km
2000	MANTER	76,158	98 km
2003	PIRU	63,920	97 km
2016	ERSKINE	48,066	64 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	47 km
2007	RANCH	37,009	95 km
2017	PIER	36,626	90 km
2008	PIUTE	36,251	61 km
2013	POWERHOUSE	32,329	89 km
2020	LAKE	30,971	83 km
2016	CEDAR	29,191	62 km
2021	FRENCH	27,331	54 km
2011	BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX	27,229	27 km
2011	COMANCHE	25,965	33 km
1997	HOPPER	24,072	98 km
1984	BODFISH	23,189	60 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (9°C)	1.2 in
February	53°F (12°C)	1.3 in
March	57°F (14°C)	1.5 in	Wettest
April	63°F (17°C)	0.7 in
May	71°F (22°C)	0.2 in
June	78°F (26°C)	0.1 in
July	84°F (29°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	83°F (28°C)	0.1 in
September	77°F (25°C)	0.2 in
October	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	56°F (13°C)	0.9 in
December	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in	Coldest

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 48°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 7.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (1.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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