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Weather & Climate in Fort Bragg, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Bragg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 293 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 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 107 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 51.5°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 107 ft (33 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,422/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4398°N, 123.8018°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mendocino County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 104 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| 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 High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,386 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.
| Apr 25, 1992 | The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake | M7.2 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 32 km SW of Ferndale, California | M6.6 | 123 km | 22 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 30 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M6.5 | 128 km | 19 km |
| Aug 17, 1991 | 30 km SSW of Scotia, California | M6.0 | 99 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 2010 | 61 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M5.9 | 147 km | 23 km |
| Jan 28, 2015 | 40 km SW of Ferndale, California | M5.7 | 119 km | 17 km |
| Jan 22, 1997 | 33 km SW of Scotia, California | M5.6 | 105 km | 23 km |
| Jun 23, 2019 | 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA | M5.6 | 102 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1990 | 30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.4 | 99 km | 4 km |
| Jan 1, 2023 | 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA | M5.4 | 109 km | 31 km |
| Mar 8, 1992 | 27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.3 | 97 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 2020 | 15km W of Petrolia, CA | M5.2 | 115 km | 29 km |
| Jan 26, 1997 | 33 km SW of Scotia, California | M5.2 | 107 km | 22 km |
| May 9, 2007 | 67 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M5.2 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Jul 18, 2021 | 12km W of Petrolia, CA | M5.1 | 112 km | 31 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 87 km | 14 km |
| Jul 19, 2006 | 35 km SSW of Ferndale, California | M5.0 | 108 km | 20 km |
| Aug 7, 2009 | 43 km SW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 120 km | 16 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 29 km SW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 116 km | 19 km |
| Jun 5, 1992 | 31 km SSW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 110 km | 20 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
3 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF1 | 3 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 11, 1983 | EF0 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 3, 1958 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 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 | — | 112 km |
| 2024 | CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (103 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 103 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 | 86 km |
| 2018 | RANCH | 427,048 | 90 km |
| 1996 | FORK | 83,209 | 95 km |
| 1987 | MENDENHALL | 54,162 | 66 km |
| 2018 | RIVER | 48,920 | 80 km |
| 2012 | NORTH PASS | 43,689 | 82 km |
| 2017 | REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT | 36,545 | 52 km |
| 2001 | TROUGH | 25,270 | 94 km |
| 1987 | FOUTS | 16,892 | 89 km |
| 2006 | HUNTER | 16,757 | 79 km |
| 2003 | HONEYDEW | 13,555 | 85 km |
| 2014 | LODGE COMPLEX | 12,299 | 40 km |
| 1987 | TRAVIS | 11,989 | 87 km |
| 2003 | CANOE | 10,881 | 94 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (SUGARLOAF) | 8,344 | 55 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (RED MOUNTAIN) | 7,636 | 52 km |
| 2003 | SPANISH | 6,384 | 86 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (HARDY) | 5,520 | 30 km |
| 1990 | MATTOLE | 5,219 | 99 km |
| 1988 | SADDLE | 5,144 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 8.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 7.3 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 6.7 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 6.9 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 7.6 in | Coldest |
Fort Bragg has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 46°F in December to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.6") and July the driest (0.1").