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Weather & Climate in Dorrington, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dorrington experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 290 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 55.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 104.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 5,133 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.3°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,133 ft (1,565 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 126/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3045°N, 120.2663°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Calaveras County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 71 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,425 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 | 78 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 71 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 104 km | 11 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 72 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 71 km | 7 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 70 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 111 km | 1 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 112 km | -2 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 104 km | 4 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 73 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 86 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 99 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 73 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2016 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 76 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (113 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 113 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 122 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 132 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 182 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 50 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 47 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 74 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 85 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 85 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 90 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 29 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 66 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 59 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 45 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 70 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 59 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 40 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 81 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 97 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 65 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 98 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 74 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 61 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 8.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 7.6 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 7.3 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 62°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 6.9 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 7.4 in | Coldest |
Dorrington has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 38°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.6") and July the driest (0.2").