Weather & Climate in Markleeville, CA

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

Markleeville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 330 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 5.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.3 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 6,321 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	51.9°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

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

Annual Rainfall 5.9"

84% below US avg

Snowfall 18.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.11"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

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	35°F (2°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
February	33°F (0°C)	2.8 in
March	37°F (3°C)	2.3 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.0 in
May	50°F (10°C)	0.9 in
June	59°F (15°C)	0.7 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.4 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.5 in
September	58°F (15°C)	0.7 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	38°F (3°C)	2.4 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	2.5 in	Coldest

Markleeville has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (0.4").

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