Weather & Climate in Knights Ferry, CA

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

Knights Ferry enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°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 12.3 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 210 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	63.1°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	210 ft (64 m)
Area	41.3 sq mi (107.0 km²)
Population Density	506/sq mi
Coordinates	37.8212°N, 120.6691°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Merced County County
Nearest Airport	Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.3"

68% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.83"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.7 / 100
Community Resilience	7.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Very High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5,286 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	142 km	14 km
Jul 8, 2021	Antelope Valley, CA	M6.0	128 km	7 km
Oct 24, 1990	3 km NE of Mono City, California	M5.8	139 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	132 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	131 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	138 km	9 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	136 km	-1 km
Jul 8, 2021	32km SE of Markleeville, CA	M5.0	128 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	114 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	133 km	5 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	126 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	132 km	6 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	144 km	7 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	135 km	4 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	133 km	-1 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	106 km	8 km
Mar 9, 2007	13 km SE of Walker, California	M4.7	133 km	7 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	136 km	-1 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	131 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	106 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

68 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2023	EF1	17 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 10, 2023	EF1	30 km	0.4 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	35 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	97 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	35 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 16, 2002	EF1	56 km	1.3 mi	0
Dec 12, 1996	EF1	17 km	0.6 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	58 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1995	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	47 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	26 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	28 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	40 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 2023	EF0	69 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 8, 2022	EF0	80 km	0.8 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	95 km	4.4 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1868	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	4.5 m	30	127 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	138 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	148 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	129 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono-Inyo Craters (144 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	144 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	145 km
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	146 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (405,787 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX	405,787	82 km
2013	RIM	257,084	62 km
2018	FERGUSON	97,307	79 km
2017	DETWILER	83,297	57 km
2015	BUTTE	72,894	50 km
1996	ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON)	58,161	75 km
1987	PAPER	49,296	48 km
1987	LARSON	49,250	65 km
2007	LICK	47,424	94 km
1987	HAMM	39,333	54 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	79 km
2018	DONNELL	36,151	97 km
2008	TELEGRAPH	33,479	62 km
2022	OAK	19,408	77 km
1992	GULCH	18,019	43 km
1990	A-ROCK	17,706	78 km
1996	ROGGE	17,559	50 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	83 km
2004	POWER	17,266	83 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	73 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	2.6 in
March	54°F (12°C)	2.7 in
April	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
May	66°F (19°C)	0.3 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in
July	79°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	77°F (25°C)	0.1 in
September	72°F (22°C)	0.3 in
October	65°F (18°C)	0.9 in
November	53°F (12°C)	2.4 in
December	45°F (7°C)	2.2 in	Coldest

Knights Ferry has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 45°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.0").

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