Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Floriston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 63°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 22.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 98.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 6,422 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average
44.3°F
18% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-2°C)
July Average
63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days
326 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6,422 ft (1,957 m)
Area
1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density
23/sq mi
Coordinates
39.3929°N, 120.0151°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Sierra County County
Nearest Airport
Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 15 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall22.5"
41% below US avg
Snowfall98.4"
Wettest Month (Jan)4.21"
Driest Month (Jul)0.35"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
63.2 / 100
Community Resilience
31.4 / 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
2,849 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
71 km
14 km
Jul 8, 2021
Antelope Valley, CA
M6.0
108 km
7 km
May 24, 2013
2 km NNE of Canyondam, California
M5.7
126 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
130 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
69 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
129 km
6 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
16 km
3 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
74 km
-1 km
Jul 8, 2021
32km SE of Markleeville, CA
M5.0
108 km
7 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
126 km
4 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
82 km
4 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
16 km
3 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
12 km
1 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
82 km
-1 km
Feb 10, 1993
28 km SW of Empire, Nevada
M4.8
120 km
5 km
Oct 1, 2011
7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada
M4.8
121 km
4 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
12 km
-2 km
Apr 26, 2008
27km SE of Smith Valley, NV
M4.7
116 km
4 km
Dec 23, 1995
8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.7
81 km
-1 km
Mar 9, 2007
13 km SE of Walker, California
M4.7
121 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020
EF1
38 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF1
39 km
0.4 mi
0
Nov 3, 1973
EF1
89 km
25.9 mi
0
Jul 16, 1973
EF1
31 km
1.0 mi
0
May 26, 1964
EF1
83 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 21, 2017
EF0
39 km
0.4 mi
0
Sep 13, 2017
EF0
24 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 20, 2015
EF0
61 km
3.2 mi
0
Jul 8, 2015
EF0
47 km
2.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2005
EF0
32 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 24, 2004
EF0
31 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
14 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
19 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 1, 2002
EF0
36 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 10, 2000
EF0
27 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 13, 1999
EF0
27 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 30, 1998
EF0
28 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
67 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
70 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1997
EF0
58 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Soda Lakes (100 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Soda Lakes
Maar(s)
1,251 m (4,104 ft)
Unknown
100 km
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
176 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
Pyroclastic cone(s)
2,121 m (6,959 ft)
1790
177 km
Mono-Inyo Craters
Lava dome(s)
2,796 m (9,173 ft)
1380
196 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
CALDOR
226,583
78 km
2021
SUGAR
108,368
64 km
2014
KING
99,070
69 km
2017
TRUCKEE
98,411
82 km
2017
LONG VALLEY
80,456
67 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
70 km
2021
TAMARACK
70,171
81 km
2019
WALKER
58,747
92 km
2018
PERRY
53,734
64 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
28 km
1999
FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)
47,030
73 km
2020
LOYALTON
45,484
36 km
1987
CLARK
39,194
83 km
2016
TULE
35,341
74 km
2017
EARTHSTONE
35,305
48 km
2020
NORTH
34,120
51 km
1985
GOOSEBERRY
29,290
55 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
57 km
2013
BISON
23,611
69 km
2007
ANTELOPE COMPLEX (WHEELER)
23,108
96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-2°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
February
30°F (-1°C)
3.8 in
March
35°F (2°C)
3.4 in
April
40°F (4°C)
1.4 in
May
48°F (9°C)
1.2 in
June
55°F (13°C)
0.8 in
July
63°F (17°C)
0.4 in
Warmest, Driest
August
62°F (17°C)
0.5 in
September
55°F (13°C)
0.8 in
October
47°F (8°C)
1.5 in
November
36°F (2°C)
3.3 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
Floriston has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 28°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (0.4").