Weather & Climate in Ferndale, CA

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

Ferndale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 275 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 45 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 58°F Jul (14°C)

Annual Average	52.6°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	58°F (14°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	45 ft (14 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density	1,260/sq mi
Coordinates	40.5781°N, 124.2612°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Humboldt County County
Nearest Airport	Redding Regional (RDD) 103 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.4"

6% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Dec) 9.72"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	74.7 / 100
Community Resilience	56.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

5,347 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	M7.2	27 km	10 km
Sep 1, 1994	121 km W of Ferndale, California	M7.1	122 km	10 km
Mar 10, 2014	77 km WNW of Indianola, California	M6.8	79 km	16 km
Feb 19, 1995	126 km W of Ferndale, California	M6.6	126 km	5 km
Apr 26, 1992	32 km SW of Ferndale, California	M6.6	33 km	22 km
Jan 10, 2010	The 2010 Eureka, California Earthquake	M6.5	37 km	29 km
Apr 26, 1992	30 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M6.5	30 km	19 km
Aug 17, 1991	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	M6.0	36 km	8 km
Feb 4, 2010	61 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M5.9	62 km	23 km
Mar 9, 2020	69km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.8	73 km	3 km
Jan 28, 2015	40 km SW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	41 km	17 km
Mar 16, 2000	85 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	85 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2016	124 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M5.6	124 km	29 km
Jan 22, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.6	35 km	23 km
Feb 13, 2012	26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California	M5.6	74 km	27 km
May 21, 2023	108km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	112 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2019	6km SSW of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	34 km	9 km
Oct 4, 1997	100 km WNW of Samoa, California	M5.5	105 km	7 km
Feb 26, 2007	52km W of Ferndale, CA	M5.4	52 km	5 km
Jan 13, 2001	off the coast of Northern California	M5.4	85 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

2 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 29, 1958	EF2	44 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 25, 2018	EF0	27 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1992	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	24 km
2024	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	68 km
1994	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	122 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Shasta (197 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	197 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MONUMENT (226,125 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	MONUMENT	226,125	86 km
2020	RED SALMON COMPLEX	147,535	93 km
1999	MEGRAM- ORLEANS	125,337	86 km
2006	PIGEON	100,962	98 km
2015	RIVER COMPLEX	78,531	84 km
2015	ROUTE COMPLEX	35,444	61 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (EAGLE)	32,397	94 km
2015	PATTISON	31,129	73 km
2022	CAMPBELL	30,392	73 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (BUCKHORN)	29,446	89 km
2008	LIME COMPLEX (LIME)	27,234	72 km
2008	LIME COMPLEX (MINERS)	25,680	84 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (CEDAR)	25,277	78 km
2015	LASSICS	20,716	68 km
1999	BIG BAR COMPLEX (ONION)	16,742	81 km
2008	HELLS HALF FIRE (HALF)	14,873	63 km
1987	COLD	14,801	73 km
2013	CORRAL COMPLEX	13,595	84 km
2003	HONEYDEW	13,555	48 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (IRONSIDE)	13,001	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	9.1 in
February	48°F (9°C)	7.9 in
March	49°F (9°C)	7.9 in
April	51°F (10°C)	4.1 in
May	53°F (12°C)	1.8 in
June	56°F (14°C)	0.6 in
July	58°F (14°C)	0.2 in	Driest
August	60°F (16°C)	0.6 in	Warmest
September	59°F (15°C)	1.1 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.8 in
November	50°F (10°C)	9.3 in
December	47°F (8°C)	9.7 in	Coldest, Wettest

Ferndale has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 47°F in December to 60°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 56.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (9.7") and July the driest (0.2").

View full profile of Ferndale, CA →