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Weather & Climate in Kirkwood, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kirkwood has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 326 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 20.5 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 8,497 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
62°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 8,497 ft (2,590 m) |
| Area | 5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 93/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6893°N, 120.0550°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | El Dorado County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,186 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Sep 12, 1994 | 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada | M6.1 | 38 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 52 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 107 km | 11 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 32 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 52 km | 7 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 37 km | 4 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 66 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 35 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 69 km | -2 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 37 km | -1 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 81 km | 4 km |
| Sep 20, 2004 | 27 km NNW of Benton, California | M4.7 | 144 km | 2 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: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 92 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 98 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1964 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 82 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 55 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 32 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2005 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 2000 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1999 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1997 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1990 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1989 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1980 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (118 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 118 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 133 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 139 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 148 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 86 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 21 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 50 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 68 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 66 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 30 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 89 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 86 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 99 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 40 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 68 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 46 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 57 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 58 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 36 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 74 km |
| 2020 | NUMBERS | 18,998 | 45 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 31 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 67 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.8 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 42°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
Kirkwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 27°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.7") and July the driest (0.5").