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Weather & Climate in Hat Creek, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hat Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 316 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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,423 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,423 ft (1,043 m) |
| Area | 50.2 sq mi (130.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7898°N, 121.4745°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Shasta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Redding Regional (RDD) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,253 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 | 75 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 72 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 131 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 81 km | 25 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 20 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 76 km | 4 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 124 km | 2 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 80 km | 25 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | 4 km NNW of Redding, California | M4.5 | 81 km | 23 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 128 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 30 km | 17 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 67 km | 8 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 | 3 km ENE of East Quincy, California | M4.4 | 107 km | -1 km |
| Jun 14, 1991 | 8 km SW of Hat Creek, California | M4.4 | 11 km | 11 km |
| Dec 20, 2000 | 12 km NNW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 29 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M4.3 | 21 km | 12 km |
| Dec 20, 2000 | 11 km NNW of Burney, California | M4.3 | 29 km | 18 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
4 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 1980 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2013 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2013 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1978 | EF0 | 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 (33 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 33 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 92 km |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 92 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 | 73 km |
| 2018 | CARR | 233,710 | 95 km |
| 2021 | ANTELOPE | 141,960 | 98 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 88 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 81 km |
| 2007 | MOONLIGHT | 65,718 | 89 km |
| 2018 | DELTA | 63,732 | 86 km |
| 1992 | FOUNTAIN | 62,340 | 32 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 73 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 86 km |
| 2012 | BAGLEY | 47,731 | 56 km |
| 2018 | HIRZ | 46,700 | 71 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 78 km |
| 2014 | BALD | 39,770 | 16 km |
| 2018 | STONE | 39,455 | 81 km |
| 2014 | EILER | 30,967 | 7 km |
| 2017 | COVE | 30,884 | 67 km |
| 2008 | SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOTION) | 29,346 | 88 km |
| 2020 | SHEEP | 29,150 | 85 km |
| 2012 | PONDEROSA | 28,690 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
Hat Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 33°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.7") and July the driest (0.3").