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Weather & Climate in Durham, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Durham enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 326 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 27.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 146 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.7°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 146 ft (45 m) |
| Area | 81.9 sq mi (212.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 75/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6294°N, 121.7908°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Butte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very 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
4,409 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 88 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 86 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 102 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 86 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 123 km | 25 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 93 km | 14 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 149 km | 16 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 149 km | 9 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 86 km | 4 km |
| Sep 4, 1995 | 13 km SW of Middletown, California | M4.8 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 15 km N of Potter Valley, California | M4.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2006 | 7 km W of Cobb, California | M4.7 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 99 km | 2 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 4 km NW of Cobb, CA | M4.7 | 121 km | 1 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 121 km | 25 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 6 km N of Geyserville, California | M4.6 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2004 | 4 km WNW of Cobb, California | M4.6 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jan 12, 2014 | 8 km W of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Sep 25, 2012 | 3 km N of Talmage, California | M4.5 | 129 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2011 | EF2 | 15 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1994 | EF2 | 23 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1986 | EF2 | 40 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1980 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1953 | EF2 | 36 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 27 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 89 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 32 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 37 km | 26.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2005 | EF1 | 28 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1993 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1993 | EF1 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 23 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 49 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1978 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (99 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 99 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 112 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANCH (427,048 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | RANCH | 427,048 | 94 km |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 58 km |
| 2018 | CAMP | 153,687 | 23 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 46 km |
| 2015 | ROCKY | 96,125 | 98 km |
| 1996 | FORK | 83,209 | 95 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 72 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 61 km |
| 2008 | BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) | 52,091 | 39 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 62 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 55 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 66 km |
| 1999 | MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) | 34,459 | 50 km |
| 2012 | MILL | 29,924 | 80 km |
| 2012 | PONDEROSA | 28,690 | 88 km |
| 2008 | CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH) | 26,418 | 52 km |
| 2001 | TROUGH | 25,270 | 83 km |
| 2008 | HUMBOLDT | 23,769 | 12 km |
| 1990 | FINLEY | 22,239 | 79 km |
| 2008 | CUB COMPLEX (CUB) | 20,772 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
Durham has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 46°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (0.0").