Weather & Climate in La Porte, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Porte experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 82.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. 51% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,049 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,049 ft (1,539 m) |
| Area | 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6725°N, 120.9852°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Plumas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 51.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 16 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,975 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 | 149 km | 14 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 58 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 60 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 35 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 59 km | 6 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 149 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 91 km | 3 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 57 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 92 km | 1 km |
| Feb 10, 1993 | 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada | M4.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 92 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 87 km | -2 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Mar 21, 2020 | 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada | M4.5 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Nov 15, 1995 | 9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada | M4.5 | 79 km | -1 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 85 km | 7 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 49 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 | 3 km ENE of East Quincy, California | M4.4 | 32 km | -1 km |
| Jan 6, 1995 | 7 km ESE of Alpine Village, California | M4.4 | 148 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2011 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1994 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1986 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 70 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2005 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1993 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1993 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 52 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1978 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 82 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1970 | EF1 | 79 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (101 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 101 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 172 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 182 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | DIXIE | 979,795 | 73 km |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 14 km |
| 2018 | CAMP | 153,687 | 50 km |
| 1990 | CAMPBELL | 128,266 | 83 km |
| 2021 | SUGAR | 108,368 | 76 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 91 km |
| 2017 | LONG VALLEY | 80,456 | 98 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 50 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 75 km |
| 2007 | MOONLIGHT | 65,718 | 65 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 90 km |
| 2019 | WALKER | 58,747 | 58 km |
| 2008 | BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK) | 52,091 | 44 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 47 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 68 km |
| 2020 | LOYALTON | 45,484 | 74 km |
| 1994 | BARKLEY | 44,256 | 83 km |
| 1987 | CLARK | 39,194 | 76 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 51 km |
| 1999 | MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) | 34,459 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 14.7 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 13.7 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 12.8 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 6.4 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 8.6 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 16.3 in | Coldest, Wettest |
La Porte has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 40°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 82.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (16.3") and July the driest (0.0").