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Weather & Climate in Independence, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Independence enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 85°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 5.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,865 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
85°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 62.9°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 85°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,865 ft (1,178 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 180/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8303°N, 118.2079°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Tulare County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 84 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10,136 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 140 km | 11 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 54 km | 4 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 1999 | 37 km SSE of Goldfield, Nevada | M5.7 | 118 km | 8 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 95 km | 3 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 113 km | 7 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 132 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 98 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 144 km | 8 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 99 km | 0 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 58 km | -2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 95 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 100 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1962 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2018 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | EF0 | 13 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2004 | EF0 | 26 km | — | 0 |
| Jan 20, 1997 | EF0 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (54 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 54 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 71 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 115 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 130 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 149 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 | 74 km |
| 2002 | MCNALLY | 146,540 | 87 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 60 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 60 km |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 100 km |
| 2017 | PIER | 36,626 | 91 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (OAK) | 28,447 | 7 km |
| 2017 | LION | 18,576 | 65 km |
| 2011 | LION | 17,671 | 66 km |
| 2017 | SCHAEFFER | 16,100 | 83 km |
| 2008 | CLOVER | 14,778 | 78 km |
| 2008 | TEHIPITE | 12,205 | 55 km |
| 1986 | DEER | 10,963 | 65 km |
| 2019 | TABOOSE | 10,401 | 24 km |
| 2005 | COMB COMPLEX | 10,211 | 40 km |
| 2010 | SHEEP COMPLEX | 9,614 | 46 km |
| 2020 | RATTLESNAKE | 9,090 | 47 km |
| 2021 | WALKERS | 9,011 | 66 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 8,742 | 82 km |
| 1985 | ONION | 8,583 | 11 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
Independence has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 35°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.3") and June the driest (0.3").