Weather & Climate in Little Grass Valley, CA

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

Little Grass Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 276 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 64.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 5,342 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	53.1°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,342 ft (1,628 m)
Area	3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density	1/sq mi
Coordinates	39.7252°N, 120.9591°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Plumas County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.9"

71% above US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.37"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

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

1,817 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	53 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	55 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	31 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	54 km	6 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	90 km	3 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	146 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	52 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	91 km	3 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	139 km	5 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	93 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	88 km	-2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	63 km	10 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	125 km	8 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	78 km	-1 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	80 km	7 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km NW of Belden, CA	M4.4	46 km	8 km
Mar 27, 1997	14km SW of Manton, CA	M4.4	110 km	8 km
Nov 5, 1997	3 km ENE of East Quincy, California	M4.4	26 km	-1 km
Jun 14, 1991	8 km SW of Hat Creek, California	M4.4	130 km	11 km
Apr 6, 1992	4 km NNE of Lemmon Valley, Nevada	M4.4	98 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

41 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	58 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	57 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	76 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	71 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	77 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	94 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	87 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	58 km	5.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	57 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	83 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 28, 1970	EF1	83 km	2.3 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	94 km	2.7 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	52 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (97 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	97 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	177 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	180 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	67 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	14 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	52 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	82 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	71 km
2014	KING	99,070	95 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	94 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	46 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	80 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	58 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	88 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	52 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	44 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	44 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	67 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	72 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	81 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	70 km
1988	49R	36,673	58 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	35 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	9.4 in	Wettest
February	34°F (1°C)	7.6 in
March	36°F (2°C)	7.2 in
April	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in
May	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in
June	55°F (13°C)	1.0 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.5 in
September	58°F (15°C)	1.1 in
October	51°F (10°C)	3.2 in
November	40°F (4°C)	7.2 in
December	34°F (1°C)	8.0 in	Coldest

Little Grass Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 34°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.4") and July the driest (0.3").

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