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Weather & Climate in Lookout, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lookout experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 70°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 15.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,156 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.6°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,156 ft (1,267 m) |
| Area | 5.5 sq mi (14.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 8/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.2104°N, 121.1530°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Modoc County County |
| Nearest Airport | Crater Lake/Klamath Regional (LMT) 72 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,488 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 21, 1993 | 27 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M6.0 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 22 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.9 | 143 km | 9 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 114 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 112 km | 6 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 113 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 7km NW of Redding, CA | M5.1 | 124 km | 25 km |
| Dec 4, 1993 | 20 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 12 km NE of Burney, CA | M5.0 | 45 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 115 km | 4 km |
| Sep 14, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.7 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 5km NNW of Redding, CA | M4.6 | 124 km | 25 km |
| Jul 16, 2015 | 42 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.6 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.5 | 147 km | 12 km |
| Jul 27, 2015 | 43 km E of Fort Bidwell, California | M4.5 | 148 km | 11 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | 4 km NNW of Redding, California | M4.5 | 124 km | 23 km |
| Aug 4, 2016 | 5 km WNW of Patton Village, California | M4.5 | 142 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2005 | 10 km NW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 59 km | 17 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km NW of Belden, CA | M4.4 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Mar 27, 1997 | 14km SW of Manton, CA | M4.4 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Dec 20, 2000 | 12 km NNW of Burney, California | M4.4 | 52 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 1958 | EF1 | 83 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Medicine Lake (56 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 56 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 85 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 90 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ANTELOPE (141,960 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | ANTELOPE | 141,960 | 70 km |
| 2012 | BARRY POINT | 91,487 | 98 km |
| 2020 | W-5 COLD SPRINGS | 84,024 | 88 km |
| 2020 | CALDWELL | 81,870 | 64 km |
| 2001 | OBSERVATION | 67,432 | 98 km |
| 1992 | FOUNTAIN | 62,340 | 71 km |
| 2017 | STEELE | 49,153 | 77 km |
| 2012 | BAGLEY | 47,731 | 78 km |
| 2018 | HIRZ | 46,700 | 98 km |
| 2014 | BALD | 39,770 | 40 km |
| 2018 | STONE | 39,455 | 27 km |
| 2014 | EILER | 30,967 | 57 km |
| 2017 | COVE | 30,884 | 14 km |
| 2001 | BLUE COMPLEX (BLUE) | 30,803 | 76 km |
| 2012 | READING | 26,872 | 77 km |
| 2021 | LAVA | 26,287 | 99 km |
| 1999 | PINE | 24,124 | 63 km |
| 1996 | AMBROSE COMPLEX (DAMON-LONG) | 24,090 | 39 km |
| 1987 | LOST | 23,599 | 53 km |
| 2020 | GOLD | 21,623 | 33 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Lookout has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 32°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.3") and July the driest (0.3").