Weather & Climate in Markleeville, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Markleeville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 77.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 6,321 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
62°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,321 ft (1,927 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 27/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6840°N, 119.8227°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Alpine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,498 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Sep 12, 1994 | 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada | M6.1 | 21 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 34 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 93 km | 11 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 125 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 118 km | 8 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 94 km | 3 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 15 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 34 km | 7 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 17 km | 4 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 95 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 70 km | 1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 94 km | 3 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 15 km | -1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 73 km | -2 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 60 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 26, 1964 | EF1 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 39 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2005 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 2000 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1999 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1997 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1995 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1989 | EF0 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 1972 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1972 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (103 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 103 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 120 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 125 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 136 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 86 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 41 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 68 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 85 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 82 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 10 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 86 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 90 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 34 km |
| 1985 | GOOSEBERRY | 29,290 | 98 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 83 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 29 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 40 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 40 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 55 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 89 km |
| 2020 | NUMBERS | 18,998 | 29 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 12 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 80 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 60°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
Markleeville has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 30°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.1") and September the driest (0.5").