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Weather & Climate in French Gulch, CA

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

French Gulch enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. 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 47.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,401 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.4°F
12% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,401 ft (427 m)
Area12.4 sq mi (32.0 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates40.7188°N, 122.6294°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyShasta County County
Nearest AirportRedding Regional (RDD)
23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.1"
24% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 7.91"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability41.1 / 100
Community Resilience47.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,261 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992 The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake M7.2 142 km 10 km
Aug 17, 1991 30 km SSW of Scotia, California M6.0 149 km 8 km
May 24, 2013 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California M5.7 145 km 8 km
Feb 13, 2012 26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California M5.6 108 km 27 km
Jun 23, 2019 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA M5.6 150 km 9 km
May 11, 2023 Lake Almanor Earthquake M5.5 141 km 6 km
Apr 30, 2008 3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California M5.4 74 km 28 km
Dec 26, 1994 7 km WNW of Fields Landing, California M5.4 141 km 23 km
Jan 1, 2023 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA M5.4 119 km 31 km
Mar 8, 1992 27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California M5.3 148 km 9 km
May 12, 2023 4km NW of Canyondam, CA M5.2 142 km 6 km
Nov 26, 1998 7km NW of Redding, CA M5.1 21 km 25 km
Sep 8, 2023 12 km NE of Burney, CA M5.0 94 km 16 km
Jan 18, 1990 27 km ESE of Orick, California M4.9 108 km 35 km
May 24, 2013 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA M4.9 144 km 4 km
Jul 21, 2016 19km SSE of Blue Lake, CA M4.8 106 km 26 km
Apr 18, 2007 15 km N of Potter Valley, California M4.8 145 km 5 km
Jan 19, 2008 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California M4.7 61 km 2 km
Sep 30, 2023 3 km SW of Ferndale, CA M4.7 141 km 18 km
Nov 26, 1998 5km NNW of Redding, CA M4.6 23 km 25 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 9, 1980 EF2 74 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 5, 1978 EF1 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 4, 2021 EF0 99 km 2.7 mi 0
Jan 4, 2021 EF0 88 km 0.8 mi 0
Apr 4, 2013 EF0 72 km 0.8 mi 0
Feb 19, 2013 EF0 85 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 14, 1987 EF0 91 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 5, 1978 EF0 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 5, 1978 EF0 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami 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 — 148 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Shasta (85 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Shasta Stratovolcano 4,317 m (14,163 ft) 1250 85 km
Lassen Volcanic Center Stratovolcano 3,187 m (10,456 ft) 1917 98 km
Medicine Lake Shield 2,412 m (7,913 ft) 1060 134 km
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 195 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 93 km
2018 CARR 233,710 3 km
2021 MONUMENT 226,125 53 km
2021 HAYPRESS 204,549 54 km
2020 RED SALMON COMPLEX 147,535 79 km
1999 MEGRAM- ORLEANS 125,337 76 km
2021 MCFARLAND 121,554 55 km
2006 PIGEON 100,962 55 km
2008 YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON) 94,888 75 km
2015 RIVER COMPLEX 78,531 66 km
2018 DELTA 63,732 35 km
2017 ISLAND 62,931 89 km
1992 FOUNTAIN 62,340 67 km
1999 GUN 2 61,203 92 km
2020 ZOGG 56,941 33 km
1987 YELLOW 2 53,626 96 km
2012 BAGLEY 47,731 60 km
2018 HIRZ 46,700 42 km
1994 BARKLEY 44,256 100 km
2012 NORTH PASS 43,689 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 46°F (8°C) 7.9 in Wettest
February 43°F (6°C) 6.3 in
March 45°F (7°C) 6.3 in
April 49°F (10°C) 3.1 in
May 57°F (14°C) 1.5 in
June 65°F (18°C) 0.8 in
July 80°F (26°C) 0.2 in Warmest, Driest
August 71°F (22°C) 0.5 in
September 66°F (19°C) 1.2 in
October 57°F (14°C) 2.7 in
November 46°F (8°C) 6.8 in
December 40°F (4°C) 7.3 in Coldest

French Gulch has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.9") and July the driest (0.2").

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