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Weather & Climate in Downieville, CA

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

Downieville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 276 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 64.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,450 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,450 ft (1,052 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density55/sq mi
Coordinates39.5786°N, 120.8164°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySierra County County
Nearest AirportReno/Tahoe International (RNO)
56 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.9"
71% above US avg
Snowfall 26.2"
Wettest Month (Jan) 9.53"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
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

2,412 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Sep 12, 1994 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada M6.1 131 km 14 km
May 24, 2013 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California M5.7 71 km 8 km
May 11, 2023 Lake Almanor Earthquake M5.5 74 km 6 km
Aug 10, 2001 3 km N of Blairsden, California M5.2 31 km 5 km
May 12, 2023 4km NW of Canyondam, CA M5.2 73 km 6 km
Apr 26, 2008 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada M5.1 76 km 3 km
Sep 12, 1994 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California M5.1 131 km -1 km
Dec 22, 1995 California-Nevada border region M4.9 140 km 4 km
May 24, 2013 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA M4.9 70 km 4 km
Apr 26, 2008 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada M4.8 76 km 3 km
Oct 30, 1998 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California M4.8 74 km 1 km
Dec 28, 1995 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.8 139 km -1 km
Feb 10, 1993 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada M4.8 140 km 5 km
Jun 26, 2005 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California M4.8 69 km -2 km
Dec 23, 1995 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.7 139 km -1 km
May 7, 2021 19km NW of Truckee, CA M4.7 45 km 10 km
Dec 12, 1996 4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.6 149 km -2 km
Sep 20, 1994 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.5 138 km -1 km
Nov 15, 1995 9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada M4.5 65 km -1 km
Mar 21, 2020 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada M4.5 106 km 8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

45 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 25, 2011 EF2 69 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 10, 1994 EF2 65 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 19, 2023 EF1 91 km 0.4 mi 0
Aug 15, 2020 EF1 61 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 2020 EF1 61 km 0.4 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 64 km 4.0 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 91 km 2.0 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 83 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 8, 2005 EF1 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 7, 1993 EF1 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 17, 1992 EF1 65 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 17, 1992 EF1 56 km 5.0 mi 0
Mar 23, 1978 EF1 72 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 99 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 16, 1973 EF1 90 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 28, 1970 EF1 88 km 2.3 mi 0
Nov 18, 2020 EF0 64 km 0.5 mi 0
Feb 2, 2019 EF0 93 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 21, 2018 EF0 86 km 1.0 mi 0
Sep 21, 2017 EF0 94 km 0.4 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (117 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center Stratovolcano 3,187 m (10,456 ft) 1917 117 km
Soda Lakes Maar(s) 1,251 m (4,104 ft) Unknown 167 km
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 181 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 DIXIE 979,795 83 km
2020 NORTH COMPLEX 316,556 31 km
2018 CAMP 153,687 67 km
2021 SUGAR 108,368 69 km
2014 KING 99,070 76 km
2017 LONG VALLEY 80,456 89 km
2012 CHIPS 79,978 66 km
2022 MOSQUITO 77,858 61 km
2007 MOONLIGHT 65,718 72 km
2019 WALKER 58,747 60 km
2008 BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) 52,091 62 km
2000 STORRIE 49,588 64 km
1994 COTTONWOOD 47,912 54 km
1999 FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) 47,030 98 km
2020 LOYALTON 45,484 61 km
1987 CLARK 39,194 73 km
1988 49R 36,673 50 km
1999 MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) 34,459 54 km
2020 NORTH 34,120 77 km
2020 SHEEP 29,150 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 9.5 in Wettest
February 37°F (3°C) 7.7 in Coldest
March 38°F (3°C) 7.2 in
April 42°F (6°C) 3.6 in
May 49°F (10°C) 2.0 in
June 57°F (14°C) 0.9 in
July 70°F (21°C) 0.3 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.5 in
September 61°F (16°C) 1.1 in
October 53°F (12°C) 3.2 in
November 42°F (6°C) 7.1 in
December 37°F (3°C) 8.1 in

Downieville has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 37°F in February to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.5") and July the driest (0.3").

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