Weather & Climate in Kernville, CA

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

Kernville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°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 11.8 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 2,798 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.3°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,798 ft (853 m)
Area	12.7 sq mi (32.8 km²)
Population Density	54/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7550°N, 118.4309°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Kern County County
Nearest Airport	Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 101 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.8"

69% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.11"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

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

6,777 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M7.1	75 km	8 km
Jul 4, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M6.4	84 km	11 km
Jun 24, 2020	18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA	M5.8	87 km	5 km
Sep 20, 1995	16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California	M5.8	72 km	5 km
Jul 11, 1992	12km NW of California City, California	M5.7	69 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2020	17km S of Searles Valley, CA	M5.5	92 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2019	15km ESE of Little Lake, CA	M5.5	64 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2019	20km E of Little Lake, CA	M5.4	69 km	7 km
Jul 5, 2019	16km W of Searles Valley, CA	M5.4	77 km	7 km
Aug 17, 1995	17km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.4	69 km	5 km
Nov 27, 1996	27km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.3	79 km	0 km
Mar 6, 1998	28km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.2	79 km	0 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	94 km	12 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	91 km	21 km
Oct 3, 2009	18km NE of Olancha, CA	M5.2	87 km	-2 km
Jan 7, 1996	16km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.2	71 km	3 km
Jul 17, 2001	7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA	M5.2	58 km	2 km
Mar 7, 1998	30km E of Coso Junction, California	M5.0	81 km	0 km
Sep 29, 2004	25km SSW of Bodfish, California	M5.0	44 km	3 km
Oct 1, 2009	18km NE of Olancha, CA	M5.0	87 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

20 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 1, 1964	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 19, 1962	EF1	53 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 16, 2019	EF0	73 km	1.6 mi	0
Nov 9, 2012	EF0	87 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 27, 2010	EF0	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 2004	EF0	98 km	—	0
Apr 3, 1999	EF0	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 22, 1997	EF0	90 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 17, 1997	EF0	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 20, 1997	EF0	89 km	3.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF0	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1996	EF0	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 26, 1995	EF0	96 km	2.0 mi	0
May 13, 1995	EF0	67 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 23, 1993	EF0	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 1993	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 26, 1991	EF0	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 25, 1991	EF0	68 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 20, 1988	EF0	78 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (68 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Golden Trout Creek	Volcanic field	2,886 m (9,469 ft)	-5550	68 km
Ubehebe Craters	Maar(s)	752 m (2,467 ft)	-150	166 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	55 km
2002	MCNALLY	146,540	35 km
2021	WINDY	97,831	29 km
2021	KNP COMPLEX	89,960	97 km
2000	MANTER	76,158	30 km
2016	ERSKINE	48,066	23 km
2020	COLES FLAT	41,143	82 km
2017	PIER	36,626	48 km
2008	PIUTE	36,251	30 km
2016	CEDAR	29,191	13 km
2021	FRENCH	27,331	14 km
2011	BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX	27,229	47 km
2011	COMANCHE	25,965	77 km
1984	BODFISH	23,189	20 km
1990	STORMY	23,157	10 km
2017	LION	18,576	59 km
2011	LION	17,671	61 km
2010	BULL	17,238	7 km
2017	SCHAEFFER	16,100	38 km
2008	CLOVER	14,778	52 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
February	44°F (7°C)	2.8 in
March	47°F (8°C)	2.5 in
April	52°F (11°C)	1.2 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.4 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.2 in
July	81°F (27°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.3 in
September	69°F (20°C)	0.5 in
October	59°F (15°C)	0.6 in
November	49°F (9°C)	2.1 in
December	42°F (6°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Kernville has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (0.1").

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