Weather & Climate in Covelo, CA

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

Covelo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°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 40.4 inches. The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,398 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	55.8°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,398 ft (426 m)
Area	7.1 sq mi (18.4 km²)
Population Density	211/sq mi
Coordinates	39.8002°N, 123.2526°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Mendocino County County
Nearest Airport	Redding Regional (RDD) 70 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.4"

6% above US avg

Snowfall 3.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.94"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	76.8 / 100
Community Resilience	39.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
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
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

6,539 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	M7.2	102 km	10 km
Apr 26, 1992	32 km SW of Ferndale, California	M6.6	128 km	22 km
Apr 26, 1992	30 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M6.5	132 km	19 km
Aug 17, 1991	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	M6.0	101 km	8 km
Jan 28, 2015	40 km SW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	129 km	17 km
Jan 22, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.6	109 km	23 km
Jun 23, 2019	6km SSW of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	104 km	9 km
Apr 30, 2008	3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California	M5.4	117 km	28 km
Jan 16, 1990	30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.4	102 km	4 km
Dec 26, 1994	7 km WNW of Fields Landing, California	M5.4	137 km	23 km
Jan 1, 2023	15km SE of Rio Dell, CA	M5.4	91 km	31 km
Mar 8, 1992	27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.3	99 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	15km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.2	119 km	29 km
Jan 26, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.2	111 km	22 km
Jul 18, 2021	12km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.1	116 km	31 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	116 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	65 km	14 km
Jul 19, 2006	35 km SSW of Ferndale, California	M5.0	114 km	20 km
Aug 7, 2009	43 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	131 km	16 km
Jun 19, 1994	29 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	120 km	19 km

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

Tornado History

17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 9, 1980	EF2	95 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	92 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	0.6 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	95 km	26.4 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	95 km	21.7 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	64 km	1.7 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 25, 2021	EF0	95 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	81 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 2013	EF0	97 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 19, 2013	EF0	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 8, 2010	EF0	61 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 6, 2005	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 5, 2000	EF0	83 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 14, 1987	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 11, 1983	EF0	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1992	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	110 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (101 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	101 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	167 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	200 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	25 km
2018	RANCH	427,048	72 km
2021	MCFARLAND	121,554	60 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	40 km
1996	FORK	83,209	80 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	88 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	34 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	85 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	20 km
2017	REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT	36,545	51 km
2008	SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON)	36,514	97 km
2015	ROUTE COMPLEX	35,444	92 km
2012	MILL	29,924	76 km
2008	LIME COMPLEX (LIME)	27,234	78 km
2008	LIME COMPLEX (MINERS)	25,680	93 km
2001	TROUGH	25,270	65 km
2015	SHIELL	24,830	76 km
2015	LASSICS	20,716	62 km
1987	FOUTS	16,892	65 km
2006	HUNTER	16,757	32 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	8.9 in	Wettest
February	45°F (7°C)	6.8 in
March	47°F (9°C)	6.4 in
April	51°F (10°C)	2.6 in
May	57°F (14°C)	1.0 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.3 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in
September	65°F (19°C)	0.9 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.8 in
November	47°F (8°C)	7.4 in
December	42°F (5°C)	8.4 in	Coldest

Covelo has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 42°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.9") and July the driest (0.1").

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