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Weather & Climate in Crystal Bay, NV

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 Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation6,379 ft (1,944 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density329/sq mi
Coordinates39.2304°N, 120.0022°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySierra County County
Nearest AirportReno/Tahoe International (RNO)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.3"
12% below US avg
Snowfall 179.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.31"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability63.2 / 100
Community Resilience31.4 / 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").

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