Weather & Climate in Elk Creek, CA

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

Elk Creek enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 45°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 21.4 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 968 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.9°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	968 ft (295 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density	35/sq mi
Coordinates	39.5987°N, 122.5323°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Glenn County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"

44% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 5.55"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	74.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	14.8 / 100
Community Resilience	15.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,288 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	142 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	139 km	6 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	139 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	115 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	38 km	14 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	136 km	9 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	140 km	4 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	103 km	7 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	52 km	5 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	90 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	66 km	2 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	86 km	1 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	114 km	25 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	98 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	87 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	91 km	2 km
Sep 25, 2012	3 km N of Talmage, California	M4.5	73 km	11 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	66 km	10 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	115 km	23 km
Aug 3, 2006	5 km W of Glen Ellen, California	M4.5	137 km	9 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	78 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	83 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	55 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	65 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	35 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	64 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	37 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	38 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	33 km	0.6 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	98 km	2.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	30 km	26.4 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	32 km	21.7 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	35 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF1	52 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	58 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 28, 1970	EF1	69 km	2.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (73 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	73 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	132 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	AUGUST COMPLEX	1,068,802	57 km
2018	RANCH	427,048	42 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	84 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	78 km
2021	MCFARLAND	121,554	82 km
2015	ROCKY	96,125	77 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	67 km
1996	FORK	83,209	48 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	90 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	90 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	92 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	44 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	97 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	74 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	88 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	55 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	96 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	90 km
2017	REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT	36,545	65 km
2012	MILL	29,924	32 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	5.6 in	Wettest
February	47°F (8°C)	4.3 in
March	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
April	54°F (12°C)	1.7 in
May	62°F (17°C)	0.6 in
June	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in
July	78°F (26°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	74°F (24°C)	0.2 in
September	70°F (21°C)	0.6 in
October	61°F (16°C)	1.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	4.4 in
December	44°F (7°C)	4.7 in	Coldest

Elk Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.6") and July the driest (0.1").

View full profile of Elk Creek, CA →