Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forbestown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 276 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 82.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.0 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 2,748 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
52.6°F
3% below US avg
January Average
41°F (5°C)
July Average
69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
276 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,748 ft (838 m)
Area
6.3 sq mi (16.2 km²)
Population Density
52/sq mi
Coordinates
39.5276°N, 121.2662°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Yuba County County
Nearest Airport
Chico Regional (CIC) 39 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall82.5"
117% above US avg
Snowfall82.0"
Wettest Month (Jan)10.67"
Driest Month (Jul)0.08"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
80.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
30.4 / 100
Community Resilience
36.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively 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
2,036 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
76 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
76 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
64 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
76 km
6 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
114 km
3 km
Aug 10, 2016
20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California
M5.1
134 km
14 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
74 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
108 km
1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
115 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
104 km
-2 km
Jan 19, 2008
31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.7
142 km
2 km
Jan 2, 2025
4 km NW of Cobb, CA
M4.7
149 km
1 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
82 km
10 km
Nov 15, 1995
9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada
M4.5
104 km
-1 km
Jan 19, 2008
34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.5
146 km
10 km
Mar 21, 2020
5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada
M4.5
140 km
8 km
Aug 4, 2016
5 km WNW of Patton Village, California
M4.5
114 km
7 km
Apr 5, 2024
6 km NW of Belden, CA
M4.4
57 km
8 km
Mar 27, 1997
14km SW of Manton, CA
M4.4
108 km
8 km
Dec 2, 2000
5 km NW of Kingvale, California
M4.4
71 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
60 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
31 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
26 km
0.3 mi
0
Sep 24, 1986
EF2
81 km
2.0 mi
0
Feb 7, 1978
EF2
93 km
1.9 mi
0
May 19, 1953
EF2
82 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 19, 2023
EF1
58 km
0.4 mi
0
Aug 15, 2020
EF1
100 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF1
100 km
0.4 mi
0
Dec 24, 2015
EF1
92 km
6.2 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
71 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
76 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
72 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
56 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
61 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
55 km
0.3 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
80 km
26.4 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
78 km
21.7 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
28 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 17, 1993
EF1
74 km
0.5 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
41 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 (109 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
109 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
144 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
DIXIE
979,795
95 km
2020
NORTH COMPLEX
316,556
25 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
35 km
1990
CAMPBELL
128,266
74 km
2014
KING
99,070
91 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
63 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
73 km
2007
MOONLIGHT
65,718
89 km
1999
GUN 2
61,203
86 km
2019
WALKER
58,747
85 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
39 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
56 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
92 km
1994
BARKLEY
44,256
78 km
1988
49R
36,673
32 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
40 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
73 km
2008
CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)
26,418
23 km
2008
HUMBOLDT
23,769
41 km
2007
ANTELOPE COMPLEX (WHEELER)
23,108
90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
41°F (5°C)
10.7 in
Coldest, Wettest
February
44°F (7°C)
7.7 in
March
46°F (8°C)
7.3 in
April
51°F (10°C)
4.2 in
May
58°F (14°C)
1.4 in
June
65°F (18°C)
0.7 in
July
69°F (20°C)
0.1 in
Driest
August
71°F (21°C)
0.3 in
Warmest
September
66°F (19°C)
0.8 in
October
58°F (15°C)
3.4 in
November
47°F (8°C)
8.2 in
December
42°F (6°C)
9.6 in
Forbestown has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 41°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 54.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (10.7") and July the driest (0.1").