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Weather & Climate in Litchfield, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Litchfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 316 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 13.0 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 4,200 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.2°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,200 ft (1,280 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 22/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.3877°N, 120.3807°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Lassen County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,574 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 | 62 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 65 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 67 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 65 km | 6 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 118 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 64 km | 4 km |
| Feb 10, 1993 | 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada | M4.8 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 104 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 123 km | -2 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Nov 15, 1995 | 9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada | M4.5 | 89 km | -1 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 30 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 132 km | 17 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 87 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 136 km | 8 km |
| Jun 14, 1991 | 8 km SW of Hat Creek, California | M4.4 | 112 km | 11 km |
| Dec 20, 2000 | 12 km NNW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 129 km | 17 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 | 3 km ENE of East Quincy, California | M4.4 | 64 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF1 | 76 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1973 | EF1 | 66 km | 25.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2015 | EF0 | 58 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2004 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1998 | EF0 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1964 | EF0 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (96 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 96 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 160 km |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 168 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 190 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 | 42 km |
| 2020 | NORTH COMPLEX | 316,556 | 97 km |
| 2012 | RUSH | 306,811 | 34 km |
| 2021 | SUGAR | 108,368 | 51 km |
| 2017 | TOHAKUM 2 | 92,711 | 86 km |
| 2020 | W-5 COLD SPRINGS | 84,024 | 84 km |
| 2017 | LONG VALLEY | 80,456 | 59 km |
| 2012 | CHIPS | 79,978 | 77 km |
| 2001 | OBSERVATION | 67,432 | 42 km |
| 2007 | MOONLIGHT | 65,718 | 35 km |
| 2019 | WALKER | 58,747 | 37 km |
| 2018 | PERRY | 53,734 | 100 km |
| 2000 | STORRIE | 49,588 | 87 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 89 km |
| 1999 | FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) | 47,030 | 61 km |
| 2020 | LOYALTON | 45,484 | 80 km |
| 2014 | BALD | 39,770 | 95 km |
| 1987 | CLARK | 39,194 | 32 km |
| 2016 | TULE | 35,341 | 75 km |
| 1999 | MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS) | 34,459 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
Litchfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.3").