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Weather & Climate in Lakehead, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lakehead enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 269 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 63.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,389 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,389 ft (423 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 111/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.9034°N, 122.3997°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Shasta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Redding Regional (RDD) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,569 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 138 km | 8 km |
| Feb 13, 2012 | 26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California | M5.6 | 120 km | 27 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Apr 30, 2008 | 3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California | M5.4 | 93 km | 28 km |
| Jan 1, 2023 | 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA | M5.4 | 144 km | 31 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 135 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 31 km | 25 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 71 km | 16 km |
| Jan 18, 1990 | 27 km ESE of Orick, California | M4.9 | 118 km | 35 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Jul 21, 2016 | 19km SSE of Blue Lake, CA | M4.8 | 127 km | 26 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 85 km | 2 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 32 km | 25 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | 4 km NNW of Redding, California | M4.5 | 31 km | 23 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 87 km | 10 km |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 8 km ESE of Mad River, California | M4.5 | 100 km | 36 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 54 km | 17 km |
| Mar 9, 1992 | 8 km SE of Hyampom, California | M4.4 | 90 km | 33 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 73 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 1980 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1978 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2013 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2013 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1978 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Shasta (59 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 59 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 88 km |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 106 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARR (233,710 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | CARR | 233,710 | 27 km |
| 2021 | MONUMENT | 226,125 | 75 km |
| 2021 | HAYPRESS | 204,549 | 55 km |
| 2020 | RED SALMON COMPLEX | 147,535 | 88 km |
| 2021 | ANTELOPE | 141,960 | 97 km |
| 1999 | MEGRAM- ORLEANS | 125,337 | 88 km |
| 2021 | MCFARLAND | 121,554 | 82 km |
| 2006 | PIGEON | 100,962 | 68 km |
| 2015 | RIVER COMPLEX | 78,531 | 81 km |
| 2018 | DELTA | 63,732 | 13 km |
| 2017 | ISLAND | 62,931 | 84 km |
| 1992 | FOUNTAIN | 62,340 | 47 km |
| 1999 | GUN 2 | 61,203 | 95 km |
| 2020 | ZOGG | 56,941 | 57 km |
| 1987 | YELLOW 2 | 53,626 | 95 km |
| 2012 | BAGLEY | 47,731 | 32 km |
| 2018 | HIRZ | 46,700 | 14 km |
| 2008 | BEAR WALLOW COMPLEX (UKONOM) | 40,029 | 91 km |
| 2014 | BALD | 39,770 | 91 km |
| 2008 | SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON) | 36,514 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 9.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 7.4 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 7.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 7.8 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 8.4 in | Coldest |
Lakehead has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 41°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.5") and July the driest (0.3").