Weather & Climate in Grass Valley, CA

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

Grass Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 290 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 53.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,451 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	290 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,451 ft (747 m)
Area	4.7 sq mi (12.3 km²)
Population Density	2,354/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2203°N, 121.0527°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Yuba County County
Nearest Airport	Sacramento International (SMF) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.2"

40% above US avg

Snowfall 8.6"

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.29"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	30.4 / 100
Community Resilience	36.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
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 Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,533 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	129 km	14 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	108 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	110 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	76 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	109 km	6 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	127 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	102 km	3 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	107 km	4 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	135 km	4 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	133 km	-1 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	87 km	1 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	102 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	83 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	134 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	69 km	10 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	143 km	-2 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	114 km	8 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	96 km	-1 km
Sep 20, 1994	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.5	134 km	-1 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	126 km	7 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	67 km	1.9 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	94 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	98 km	0.4 mi	0
Dec 24, 2015	EF1	58 km	6.2 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	44 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	20 km	4.0 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	56 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	30 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1983	EF1	61 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	78 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (147 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	147 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	151 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	191 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH COMPLEX (316,556 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	57 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	86 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	73 km
2014	KING	99,070	55 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	98 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	37 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	78 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	92 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	85 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	97 km
1988	49R	36,673	14 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	77 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	41 km
2008	CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)	26,418	57 km
2008	HUMBOLDT	23,769	76 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	69 km
2008	AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)	20,709	39 km
2001	STAR	16,846	50 km
1999	MUSTY	16,846	91 km
2017	CASCADE	16,155	32 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	9.3 in	Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	7.5 in
March	48°F (9°C)	7.1 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.5 in
May	60°F (15°C)	1.3 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.6 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.2 in
September	68°F (20°C)	0.8 in
October	60°F (15°C)	3.0 in
November	49°F (9°C)	7.2 in
December	43°F (6°C)	8.0 in	Coldest

Grass Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 43°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.3") and July the driest (0.1").

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