Weather & Climate in Idlewild, CA

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

Idlewild experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 330 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 19.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,760 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	54.2°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	42°F (6°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,760 ft (1,146 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	124/sq mi
Coordinates	35.8096°N, 118.6705°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Kern County County
Nearest Airport	Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 89 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.4"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 6.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.1 / 100
Community Resilience	6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

6,865 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M7.1	97 km	8 km
Jul 4, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M6.4	106 km	11 km
Jun 24, 2020	18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA	M5.8	94 km	5 km
Sep 20, 1995	16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California	M5.8	93 km	5 km
Jul 11, 1992	12km NW of California City, California	M5.7	86 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2020	17km S of Searles Valley, CA	M5.5	114 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2019	15km ESE of Little Lake, CA	M5.5	84 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2019	20km E of Little Lake, CA	M5.4	90 km	7 km
Jul 5, 2019	16km W of Searles Valley, CA	M5.4	99 km	7 km
Aug 17, 1995	17km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.4	91 km	5 km
Nov 27, 1996	27km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.3	97 km	0 km
Mar 6, 1998	28km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.2	97 km	0 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	87 km	12 km
Oct 3, 2009	18km NE of Olancha, CA	M5.2	97 km	-2 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	83 km	21 km
Jan 7, 1996	16km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.2	93 km	3 km
Jul 17, 2001	7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA	M5.2	75 km	2 km
Mar 7, 1998	30km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.0	99 km	0 km
Sep 29, 2004	25km SSW of Bodfish, California	M5.0	47 km	3 km
Oct 1, 2009	18km NE of Olancha, CA	M5.0	97 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 28, 1991	EF1	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 1, 1964	EF1	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 19, 1962	EF1	49 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	55 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 16, 2019	EF0	96 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 22, 2018	EF0	92 km	1.2 mi	0
Nov 9, 2012	EF0	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 27, 2010	EF0	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 27, 2008	EF0	85 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 20, 2004	EF0	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 2004	EF0	96 km	—	0
Apr 3, 1999	EF0	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 22, 1997	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 17, 1997	EF0	57 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 20, 1997	EF0	70 km	3.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF0	46 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1996	EF0	71 km	0.3 mi	0
May 13, 1995	EF0	45 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 23, 1993	EF0	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 1993	EF0	65 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (69 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Golden Trout Creek	Volcanic field	2,886 m (9,469 ft)	-5550	69 km
Ubehebe Craters	Maar(s)	752 m (2,467 ft)	-150	173 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CASTLE (174,424 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	CASTLE	174,424	48 km
2002	MCNALLY	146,540	38 km
2021	WINDY	97,831	19 km
2021	KNP COMPLEX	89,960	86 km
2000	MANTER	76,158	46 km
2016	ERSKINE	48,066	41 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	93 km
2017	PIER	36,626	35 km
2008	PIUTE	36,251	46 km
2016	CEDAR	29,191	9 km
2021	FRENCH	27,331	16 km
2011	BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX	27,229	47 km
2011	COMANCHE	25,965	77 km
1984	BODFISH	23,189	36 km
1990	STORMY	23,157	13 km
2017	LION	18,576	56 km
2011	LION	17,671	56 km
2010	BULL	17,238	20 km
2017	SCHAEFFER	16,100	42 km
2008	CLOVER	14,778	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (6°C)	3.3 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	2.8 in
March	48°F (9°C)	3.2 in
April	53°F (12°C)	1.7 in
May	60°F (16°C)	0.6 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.2 in
July	71°F (22°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.2 in	Warmest
September	69°F (20°C)	0.5 in
October	60°F (16°C)	0.8 in
November	50°F (10°C)	2.2 in
December	44°F (7°C)	2.6 in

Idlewild has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 42°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.0").

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