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

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

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 308 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 23.1 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 493 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	63.3°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	47°F (9°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	493 ft (150 m)
Area	13.2 sq mi (34.3 km²)
Population Density	542/sq mi
Coordinates	40.3903°N, 122.3156°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Tehama County County
Nearest Airport	Redding Regional (RDD) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.1"

39% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.18"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	88.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.9 / 100
Community Resilience	27.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,075 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	109 km	8 km
Feb 13, 2012	26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California	M5.6	150 km	27 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	104 km	6 km
Apr 30, 2008	3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California	M5.4	111 km	28 km
Jan 1, 2023	15km SE of Rio Dell, CA	M5.4	140 km	31 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	105 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	28 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	125 km	14 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	89 km	16 km
Jan 18, 1990	27 km ESE of Orick, California	M4.9	150 km	35 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	108 km	4 km
Jul 21, 2016	19km SSE of Blue Lake, CA	M4.8	138 km	26 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	123 km	5 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	41 km	2 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	26 km	25 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	27 km	23 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	45 km	10 km
Aug 28, 2016	8 km ESE of Mad River, California	M4.5	93 km	36 km
Mar 9, 1992	8 km SE of Hyampom, California	M4.4	92 km	33 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	78 km	17 km

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

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	56 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	30 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	77 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	91 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	91 km	0.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	97 km	26.4 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	87 km	21.7 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF1	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	71 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2021	EF0	65 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	55 km	2.7 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	48 km	0.8 mi	0
Mar 29, 2014	EF0	67 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 25, 2014	EF0	94 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 4, 2013	EF0	28 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 19, 2013	EF0	40 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (69 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	69 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	114 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	150 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	163 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	AUGUST COMPLEX	1,068,802	79 km
2018	CARR	233,710	43 km
2021	MONUMENT	226,125	88 km
2021	HAYPRESS	204,549	99 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	96 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	57 km
2021	MCFARLAND	121,554	53 km
2006	PIGEON	100,962	97 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	65 km
2018	DELTA	63,732	70 km
1992	FOUNTAIN	62,340	64 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	49 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	26 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	95 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	96 km
2012	BAGLEY	47,731	75 km
2018	HIRZ	46,700	66 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	56 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	83 km
2014	BALD	39,770	100 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (9°C)	6.2 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in
March	53°F (12°C)	4.7 in
April	58°F (15°C)	2.1 in
May	67°F (19°C)	1.4 in
June	76°F (24°C)	0.6 in
July	82°F (28°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	80°F (27°C)	0.3 in
September	74°F (24°C)	0.9 in
October	64°F (18°C)	2.0 in
November	52°F (11°C)	4.6 in
December	45°F (7°C)	4.8 in	Coldest

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and July the driest (0.1").

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