Weather & Climate in Maxwell, CA

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

Maxwell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 76°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 17.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 96 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	96 ft (29 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density	546/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2771°N, 122.1947°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Colusa County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.2"

55% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.62"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	49.5 / 100
Community Resilience	25.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,316 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	119 km	11 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	141 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	139 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	148 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	139 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	53 km	14 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	102 km	9 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	139 km	4 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	81 km	7 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	81 km	5 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	74 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	109 km	2 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	68 km	1 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	150 km	25 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	84 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	70 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	74 km	2 km
Sep 25, 2012	3 km N of Talmage, California	M4.5	85 km	11 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	110 km	10 km
Aug 3, 2006	5 km W of Glen Ellen, California	M4.5	107 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	61 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	74 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	91 km	1.9 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	66 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	34 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	36 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	34 km	0.6 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	62 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	99 km	4.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	38 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	27 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	29 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	70 km	5.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (60 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	60 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	147 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANCH (427,048 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	RANCH	427,048	50 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	73 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	75 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	91 km
2015	ROCKY	96,125	46 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	66 km
1996	FORK	83,209	48 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	84 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	65 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	86 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	78 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	91 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	75 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	58 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	54 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	89 km
1988	49R	36,673	85 km
2017	REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT	36,545	88 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	95 km
2012	MILL	29,924	38 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
February	51°F (10°C)	3.0 in
March	54°F (12°C)	2.5 in
April	59°F (15°C)	0.9 in
May	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.2 in
July	76°F (25°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	75°F (24°C)	0.1 in
September	71°F (22°C)	0.3 in
October	64°F (18°C)	1.0 in
November	53°F (11°C)	2.6 in
December	46°F (8°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Maxwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 46°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.6") and July the driest (0.0").

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