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Weather & Climate in Fort Bidwell, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Bidwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 316 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 17.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 55.9 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 4,646 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,646 ft (1,416 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 54/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8633°N, 120.1594°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Modoc County County |
| Nearest Airport | Crater Lake/Klamath Regional (LMT) 83 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.8 / 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 | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
582 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Sep 14, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.7 | 44 km | 10 km |
| Jul 16, 2015 | 42 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.6 | 44 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.5 | 44 km | 12 km |
| Jul 27, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.5 | 45 km | 11 km |
| Jun 30, 2004 | 10 km NNE of New Pine Creek, Oregon | M4.4 | 25 km | 9 km |
| May 15, 2002 | 9 km W of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.3 | 150 km | 6 km |
| Jul 22, 2004 | Oregon | M4.3 | 26 km | 0 km |
| Jan 29, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.2 | 44 km | 9 km |
| Aug 13, 2015 | 44 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.2 | 45 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 1997 | Northern California | M4.2 | 48 km | 44 km |
| Jan 4, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.1 | 44 km | 9 km |
| Jan 3, 2016 | 45 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.1 | 46 km | 11 km |
| Jul 16, 2015 | 42 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.0 | 43 km | 9 km |
| Jul 22, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.0 | 44 km | 8 km |
| Jun 27, 2004 | 11 km NNE of New Pine Creek, Oregon | M3.9 | 26 km | 10 km |
| Jan 4, 2015 | 42 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M3.9 | 43 km | 10 km |
| May 14, 2016 | 8 km W of Gerlach, Nevada | M3.9 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 2015 | 42 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M3.9 | 43 km | 12 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M3.8 | 44 km | 9 km |
| Apr 28, 1999 | 54 km E of Silver Lake, Oregon | M3.8 | 147 km | 22 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: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 28, 1988 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1988 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Medicine Lake (119 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 119 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 176 km |
| Diamond Craters | Volcanic field | 1,435 m (4,708 ft) | -5610 | 180 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 190 km |
| Devils Garden | Volcanic field | 1,698 m (5,571 ft) | Unknown | 192 km |
| Crater Lake | Caldera | 2,487 m (8,159 ft) | -2850 | 200 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COUGAR PEAK (95,350 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | COUGAR PEAK | 95,350 | 66 km |
| 2012 | BARRY POINT | 91,487 | 46 km |
| 2020 | W-5 COLD SPRINGS | 84,024 | 83 km |
| 2018 | WATSON CREEK | 62,162 | 95 km |
| 2012 | LOST | 57,647 | 84 km |
| 2020 | BRATTAIN | 51,472 | 91 km |
| 2017 | STEELE | 49,153 | 61 km |
| 1999 | BADGER | 40,247 | 80 km |
| 2018 | STONE | 39,455 | 86 km |
| 1984 | RABBIT 2 | 35,396 | 100 km |
| 2017 | COVE | 30,884 | 96 km |
| 2001 | BLUE COMPLEX (BLUE) | 30,803 | 76 km |
| 1999 | PINE | 24,124 | 72 km |
| 1996 | AMBROSE COMPLEX (DAMON-LONG) | 24,090 | 97 km |
| 2005 | BARREL | 23,077 | 30 km |
| 1985 | BIG ROCK | 20,068 | 79 km |
| 1999 | BEATYBUTTE | 17,616 | 82 km |
| 2014 | COLEMAN | 14,999 | 33 km |
| 2019 | TUCKER | 14,128 | 89 km |
| 1984 | COYOTE | 13,557 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
Fort Bidwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 28°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (1.9") and July the driest (0.4").