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Weather & Climate in El Portal, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
El Portal 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 305 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 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,883 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,883 ft (574 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 270/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.6732°N, 119.7877°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mariposa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,716 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 | 128 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 73 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 87 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 104 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 107 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 123 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 87 km | 4 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 81 km | 4 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 116 km | -1 km |
| Feb 16, 2016 | 8 km S of Wilkerson, California | M4.8 | 133 km | 15 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 11 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.7 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 92 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 53 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 70 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 75 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 88 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 92 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2019 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2016 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (67 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 67 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 68 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 76 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CREEK (381,441 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CREEK | 381,441 | 64 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 31 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 5 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 32 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 97 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 27 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 41 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 15 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 28 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 79 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 21 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 96 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 94 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 63 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 16 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 83 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 3 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 38 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 74 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 6.1 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
El Portal has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 37°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.7") and July the driest (0.3").