Weather & Climate in Mad River, CA

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

Mad River experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 271 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 52.3 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 2,774 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	52.9°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	44°F (7°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,774 ft (846 m)
Area	34.7 sq mi (89.7 km²)
Population Density	15/sq mi
Coordinates	40.4325°N, 123.4921°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Trinity County County
Nearest Airport	Redding Regional (RDD) 63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.3"

38% above US avg

Snowfall 0.7"

Wettest Month (Dec) 10.12"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	79.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.6 / 100
Community Resilience	37.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5,189 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	M7.2	63 km	10 km
Mar 10, 2014	77 km WNW of Indianola, California	M6.8	145 km	16 km
Apr 26, 1992	32 km SW of Ferndale, California	M6.6	90 km	22 km
Jan 10, 2010	The 2010 Eureka, California Earthquake	M6.5	104 km	29 km
Apr 26, 1992	30 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M6.5	91 km	19 km
Aug 17, 1991	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	M6.0	70 km	8 km
Feb 4, 2010	61 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M5.9	124 km	23 km
Mar 9, 2020	69km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.8	136 km	3 km
Jan 28, 2015	40 km SW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	95 km	17 km
Mar 16, 2000	85 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	148 km	5 km
Jan 22, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.6	77 km	23 km
Feb 13, 2012	26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California	M5.6	83 km	27 km
Jun 23, 2019	6km SSW of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	71 km	9 km
Dec 26, 1994	7 km WNW of Fields Landing, California	M5.4	76 km	23 km
Feb 26, 2007	51 km W of Ferndale, California	M5.4	118 km	-1 km
Jan 16, 1990	30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.4	72 km	4 km
Feb 26, 2007	52km W of Ferndale, CA	M5.4	119 km	5 km
Apr 30, 2008	3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California	M5.4	45 km	28 km
Jan 1, 2023	15km SE of Rio Dell, CA	M5.4	41 km	31 km
Mar 8, 1992	27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.3	69 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

2 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 29, 1958	EF2	77 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 25, 2018	EF0	70 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis 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	—	70 km
2024	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	130 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Shasta (154 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	154 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	168 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	174 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	67 km
2018	CARR	233,710	82 km
2021	MONUMENT	226,125	38 km
2021	HAYPRESS	204,549	88 km
2020	RED SALMON COMPLEX	147,535	76 km
1999	MEGRAM- ORLEANS	125,337	67 km
2021	MCFARLAND	121,554	52 km
2006	PIGEON	100,962	63 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	57 km
2015	RIVER COMPLEX	78,531	55 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	74 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	71 km
2008	SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON)	36,514	71 km
2015	ROUTE COMPLEX	35,444	19 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (EAGLE)	32,397	42 km
2015	PATTISON	31,129	30 km
2022	CAMPBELL	30,392	58 km
2008	IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (BUCKHORN)	29,446	49 km
2008	SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOTION)	29,346	88 km
2008	LIME COMPLEX (LIME)	27,234	10 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (7°C)	9.8 in
February	41°F (5°C)	8.2 in
March	41°F (5°C)	7.7 in
April	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
May	51°F (10°C)	1.6 in
June	57°F (14°C)	0.6 in
July	63°F (17°C)	0.2 in	Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
September	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	53°F (12°C)	3.8 in
November	43°F (6°C)	9.2 in
December	39°F (4°C)	10.1 in	Coldest, Wettest

Mad River has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 39°F in December to 64°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (10.1") and July the driest (0.2").

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