Weather & Climate in Furnace Creek, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Furnace Creek has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 104°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 2.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 61 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 25% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of -227 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
104°F Jul (40°C)
| Annual Average | 78.8°F |
| 46% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 104°F (40°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | -227 ft (-69 m) |
| Area | 31.5 sq mi (81.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 3/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.4277°N, 116.8747°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Inyo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Harry Reid International (LAS) 99 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 61.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 24.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 30 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,674 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 98 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 98 km | 11 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 115 km | 4 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 47 km ESE of Beatty, Nevada | M5.8 | 60 km | 9 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 1999 | 37 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.7 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 93 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 79 km | 0 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 88 km | -2 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 101 km | 2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 102 km | 3 km |
| Aug 2, 1999 | 39 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.1 | 107 km | 3 km |
| Mar 7, 1998 | 30km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.0 | 77 km | 0 km |
| Oct 1, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.0 | 88 km | 4 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: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2019 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1991 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1987 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Ubehebe Craters (84 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 84 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 130 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLES FLAT (41,143 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 77 km |
| 2021 | CHERRYWOOD | 25,489 | 83 km |
| 2005 | AIR FORCE | 20,456 | 66 km |
| 2006 | BEATTY | 18,846 | 65 km |
| 1988 | USAF 4 | 14,702 | 97 km |
| 2017 | TIMBER PEAK | 10,651 | 72 km |
| 2005 | CHINA LAKE | 10,165 | 78 km |
| 2020 | JUNCTION RANCH | 9,337 | 69 km |
| 2006 | CALICO | 9,274 | 56 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 9,044 | 83 km |
| 1988 | DOE 1 | 6,884 | 70 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 6,559 | 98 km |
| 2000 | HAPPY | 5,987 | 43 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 5,585 | 53 km |
| 2020 | TIMBER MOUNTAIN | 4,608 | 82 km |
| 2006 | BULLFROG | 3,614 | 54 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 3,490 | 81 km |
| 2011 | TIMBER | 3,343 | 82 km |
| 2006 | SAWTOOTH | 3,047 | 59 km |
| 2020 | AREA-16 | 3,006 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 61°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | Wettest |
| March | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 78°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| May | 88°F (31°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| June | 98°F (36°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 104°F (40°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 102°F (39°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 93°F (34°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| November | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
Furnace Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 53°F in December to 104°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 2.2 inches, with February being the wettest month (0.5") and May the driest (0.0").