Weather & Climate in Hamilton Branch, CA

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

Hamilton Branch experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 68°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 37.1 inches. The area receives 109.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,697 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	49.1°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,697 ft (1,432 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density	462/sq mi
Coordinates	40.2773°N, 121.0961°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Plumas County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.1"

2% below US avg

Snowfall 109.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.22"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.28"

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

1,775 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	10 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	8 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	66 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	9 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	118 km	25 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	130 km	3 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	85 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	11 km	4 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	127 km	5 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	130 km	3 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	142 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	138 km	-2 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	137 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	113 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	117 km	25 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	142 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	115 km	-1 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	118 km	23 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	76 km	7 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	93 km	17 km

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

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	93 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	90 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	82 km	0.4 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	86 km	1.5 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	86 km	2.7 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	80 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 20, 2015	EF0	99 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 29, 2014	EF0	89 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 25, 2014	EF0	80 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 4, 2013	EF0	96 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 19, 2013	EF0	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 8, 2005	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 10, 1994	EF0	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 22, 1981	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF0	96 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 (42 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	42 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	153 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	156 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	20 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	62 km
2012	RUSH	306,811	93 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	71 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	67 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	86 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	22 km
2001	OBSERVATION	67,432	93 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	31 km
1992	FOUNTAIN	62,340	90 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	61 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	48 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	56 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	32 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	59 km
2014	BALD	39,770	68 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	70 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	47 km
2014	EILER	30,967	70 km
2020	SHEEP	29,150	35 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	6.2 in	Wettest
February	34°F (1°C)	5.2 in
March	37°F (3°C)	4.9 in
April	42°F (6°C)	2.3 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.3 in
June	58°F (14°C)	0.9 in
July	68°F (20°C)	0.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
September	57°F (14°C)	0.9 in
October	49°F (9°C)	2.4 in
November	38°F (3°C)	5.2 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	5.3 in	Coldest

Hamilton Branch has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 32°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and July the driest (0.3").

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