Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crystal Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 302 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 33.3 inches. The area receives 179.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,379 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average
43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
62°F (17°C)
Sunny Days
302 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6,379 ft (1,944 m)
Area
0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density
329/sq mi
Coordinates
39.2304°N, 120.0022°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Sierra County County
Nearest Airport
Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.3"
12% below US avg
Snowfall179.0"
Wettest Month (Jan)5.31"
Driest Month (Jul)0.39"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
63.2 / 100
Community Resilience
31.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,959 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
55 km
14 km
Jul 8, 2021
Antelope Valley, CA
M6.0
91 km
7 km
May 24, 2013
2 km NNE of Canyondam, California
M5.7
140 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
144 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
83 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
143 km
6 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
33 km
3 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
57 km
-1 km
Jul 8, 2021
32km SE of Markleeville, CA
M5.0
91 km
7 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
65 km
4 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
140 km
4 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
65 km
-1 km
Feb 10, 1993
28 km SW of Empire, Nevada
M4.8
137 km
5 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
33 km
3 km
Oct 1, 2011
7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada
M4.8
113 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
7 km
1 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
11 km
-2 km
Apr 26, 2008
27km SE of Smith Valley, NV
M4.7
102 km
4 km
Dec 23, 1995
8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.7
64 km
-1 km
Mar 9, 2007
13 km SE of Walker, California
M4.7
105 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020
EF1
56 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF1
57 km
0.4 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
96 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 16, 1973
EF1
46 km
1.0 mi
0
May 26, 1964
EF1
74 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 21, 2017
EF0
21 km
0.4 mi
0
Sep 13, 2017
EF0
7 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 20, 2015
EF0
79 km
3.2 mi
0
Jul 8, 2015
EF0
29 km
2.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2005
EF0
24 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 24, 2004
EF0
47 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
32 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
5 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 1, 2002
EF0
49 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 10, 2000
EF0
41 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 13, 1999
EF0
41 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 30, 1998
EF0
45 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
72 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
77 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1997
EF0
57 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Soda Lakes (103 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Soda Lakes
Maar(s)
1,251 m (4,104 ft)
Unknown
103 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
Pyroclastic cone(s)
2,121 m (6,959 ft)
1790
161 km
Mono-Inyo Craters
Lava dome(s)
2,796 m (9,173 ft)
1380
180 km
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
190 km
Mammoth Mountain
Lava dome(s)
3,369 m (11,053 ft)
1260
197 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
CALDOR
226,583
62 km
2021
SUGAR
108,368
82 km
2014
KING
99,070
57 km
2017
TRUCKEE
98,411
92 km
2017
LONG VALLEY
80,456
85 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
63 km
2021
TAMARACK
70,171
64 km
2018
PERRY
53,734
77 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
44 km
1999
FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)
47,030
90 km
2020
LOYALTON
45,484
53 km
2018
DONNELL
36,151
96 km
2016
TULE
35,341
90 km
2017
EARTHSTONE
35,305
58 km
2020
NORTH
34,120
69 km
1985
GOOSEBERRY
29,290
61 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
52 km
2020
SLINK
26,437
87 km
2013
BISON
23,611
56 km
2002
CANNON
23,605
97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
5.3 in
Wettest
February
31°F (-1°C)
4.7 in
March
33°F (1°C)
4.1 in
April
38°F (3°C)
1.8 in
May
45°F (7°C)
1.3 in
June
53°F (12°C)
0.9 in
July
62°F (17°C)
0.4 in
Warmest, Driest
August
61°F (16°C)
0.6 in
September
54°F (12°C)
0.9 in
October
46°F (8°C)
1.8 in
November
36°F (2°C)
4.0 in
December
30°F (-1°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
Crystal Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 30°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (0.4").