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. Annual precipitation totals 18.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 46% of days have good air quality. 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) |
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
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 45.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 35 |
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) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Knights Ferry has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 47°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.6") and July the driest (0.0").