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Weather & Climate in Greenhorn, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Greenhorn experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. 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 41.7 inches. The area receives 28.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,497 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,497 ft (1,371 m) |
| Area | 6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 28/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.9030°N, 120.7590°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Plumas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,788 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 41 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 45 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 16 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 44 km | 6 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 82 km | 3 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 135 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 41 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 92 km | 1 km |
| Feb 10, 1993 | 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada | M4.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 83 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 88 km | -2 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Nov 15, 1995 | 9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada | M4.5 | 67 km | -1 km |
| Mar 21, 2020 | 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada | M4.5 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 54 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 144 km | 17 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 49 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 114 km | 8 km |
| Dec 2, 2000 | 5 km NW of Kingvale, California | M4.4 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 1991 | 8 km SW of Hat Creek, California | M4.4 | 121 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
31 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2011 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1994 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 100 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2005 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1993 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1978 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 99 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1973 | EF1 | 97 km | 25.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1973 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2015 | EF0 | 64 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2014 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2005 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2004 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (91 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 91 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 167 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 | 48 km |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 37 km |
| 2012 | RUSH | 306,811 | 96 km |
| 2018 | CAMP | 153,687 | 71 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 92 km |
| 2021 | SUGAR | 108,368 | 50 km |
| 2017 | LONG VALLEY | 80,456 | 72 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 43 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 96 km |
| 2007 | MOONLIGHT | 65,718 | 35 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 94 km |
| 2019 | WALKER | 58,747 | 26 km |
| 2008 | BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) | 52,091 | 59 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 47 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 59 km |
| 1999 | FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) | 47,030 | 80 km |
| 2020 | LOYALTON | 45,484 | 59 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 88 km |
| 1987 | CLARK | 39,194 | 45 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
Greenhorn has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 33°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.5") and July the driest (0.3").