All Countries
Weather & Climate in Little River, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Little River experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 293 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 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 266 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 51.5°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 84/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2703°N, 123.7817°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mendocino County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 107 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,751 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.
| Apr 25, 1992 | The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake | M7.2 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 32 km SW of Ferndale, California | M6.6 | 140 km | 22 km |
| Apr 26, 1992 | 30 km WSW of Ferndale, California | M6.5 | 146 km | 19 km |
| Aug 17, 1991 | 30 km SSW of Scotia, California | M6.0 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Jan 28, 2015 | 40 km SW of Ferndale, California | M5.7 | 136 km | 17 km |
| Jan 22, 1997 | 33 km SW of Scotia, California | M5.6 | 123 km | 23 km |
| Jun 23, 2019 | 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA | M5.6 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1990 | 30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.4 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Jan 1, 2023 | 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA | M5.4 | 128 km | 31 km |
| Mar 8, 1992 | 27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.3 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 2020 | 15km W of Petrolia, CA | M5.2 | 133 km | 29 km |
| Jan 26, 1997 | 33 km SW of Scotia, California | M5.2 | 124 km | 22 km |
| Jul 18, 2021 | 12km W of Petrolia, CA | M5.1 | 129 km | 31 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 85 km | 14 km |
| Jul 19, 2006 | 35 km SSW of Ferndale, California | M5.0 | 125 km | 20 km |
| Aug 7, 2009 | 43 km SW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 137 km | 16 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 29 km SW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 134 km | 19 km |
| Jun 5, 1992 | 31 km SSW of Ferndale, California | M4.9 | 128 km | 20 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | 37km W of Petrolia, CA | M4.8 | 141 km | 13 km |
| Dec 26, 1999 | 34 km SW of Scotia, California | M4.8 | 123 km | 23 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: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jan 27, 2005 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF1 | 17 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1959 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 11, 1983 | EF0 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 3, 1958 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1992 | CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 130 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (93 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 93 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | AUGUST COMPLEX | 1,068,802 | 99 km |
| 2018 | RANCH | 427,048 | 87 km |
| 1996 | FORK | 83,209 | 90 km |
| 2020 | WALLBRIDGE | 55,194 | 99 km |
| 1987 | MENDENHALL | 54,162 | 71 km |
| 2018 | RIVER | 48,920 | 70 km |
| 2012 | NORTH PASS | 43,689 | 94 km |
| 2017 | REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT | 36,545 | 50 km |
| 2012 | MILL | 29,924 | 100 km |
| 2001 | TROUGH | 25,270 | 94 km |
| 2017 | 18,691 | 96 km | |
| 1987 | FOUTS | 16,892 | 87 km |
| 2006 | HUNTER | 16,757 | 85 km |
| 2014 | LODGE COMPLEX | 12,299 | 58 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 9,655 | 92 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (SUGARLOAF) | 8,344 | 39 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (RED MOUNTAIN) | 7,636 | 70 km |
| 2003 | SPANISH | 6,384 | 91 km |
| 2008 | MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (HARDY) | 5,520 | 49 km |
| 1988 | SADDLE | 5,144 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 8.4 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 7.0 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 6.6 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 6.9 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 7.5 in |
Little River has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 46°F in January to 59°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.4") and July the driest (0.1").