Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Graniteville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,990 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average
37°F (3°C)
July Average
68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
297 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
4,990 ft (1,521 m)
Area
1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density
10/sq mi
Coordinates
39.4444°N, 120.7360°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Nevada County County
Nearest Airport
Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 52 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Jan)10.98"
Driest Month (Jul)0.24"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
89.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
43.5 / 100
Community Resilience
65.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively High
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,669 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M6.1.
Sep 12, 1994
4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada
M6.1
117 km
14 km
Jul 8, 2021
Antelope Valley, CA
M6.0
149 km
7 km
May 24, 2013
2 km NNE of Canyondam, California
M5.7
88 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
90 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
42 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
89 km
6 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
69 km
3 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
116 km
-1 km
Jul 8, 2021
32km SE of Markleeville, CA
M5.0
149 km
7 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
125 km
4 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
87 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
62 km
1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
70 km
3 km
Feb 10, 1993
28 km SW of Empire, Nevada
M4.8
146 km
5 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
124 km
-1 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
57 km
-2 km
Dec 23, 1995
8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.7
124 km
-1 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
36 km
10 km
Jul 8, 2021
29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA
M4.6
149 km
2 km
Dec 12, 1996
4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.6
134 km
-2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
51 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
78 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
72 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 15, 2020
EF1
61 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF1
61 km
0.4 mi
0
Dec 24, 2015
EF1
89 km
6.2 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
54 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
88 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
79 km
0.3 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
72 km
0.1 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
85 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
57 km
5.0 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
72 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1988
EF1
93 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 22, 1983
EF1
96 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 23, 1978
EF1
84 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 16, 1973
EF1
85 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 28, 1970
EF1
92 km
2.3 mi
0
Nov 18, 2020
EF0
93 km
4.4 mi
0
Nov 18, 2020
EF0
74 km
0.5 mi
0
Feb 2, 2019
EF0
90 km
0.3 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (134 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
134 km
Soda Lakes
Maar(s)
1,251 m (4,104 ft)
Unknown
160 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
183 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
98 km
2020
NORTH COMPLEX
316,556
46 km
2021
CALDOR
226,583
89 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
79 km
2021
SUGAR
108,368
74 km
2014
KING
99,070
60 km
2017
LONG VALLEY
80,456
93 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
83 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
45 km
2007
MOONLIGHT
65,718
86 km
2019
WALKER
58,747
73 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
76 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
80 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
50 km
2020
LOYALTON
45,484
60 km
1987
CLARK
39,194
83 km
1988
49R
36,673
46 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
70 km
2020
NORTH
34,120
79 km
2020
SHEEP
29,150
97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
37°F (3°C)
11.0 in
Coldest, Wettest
February
39°F (4°C)
8.9 in
March
40°F (5°C)
8.1 in
April
45°F (7°C)
4.2 in
May
52°F (11°C)
2.2 in
June
59°F (15°C)
0.9 in
July
68°F (20°C)
0.2 in
Warmest, Driest
August
68°F (20°C)
0.4 in
September
63°F (17°C)
1.1 in
October
55°F (13°C)
3.4 in
November
44°F (7°C)
8.0 in
December
39°F (4°C)
9.3 in
Graniteville has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 37°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (11.0") and July the driest (0.2").