Weather & Climate in Meadow Valley, CA

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

Meadow Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 276 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 82.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.0 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 3,850 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	52.6°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,850 ft (1,173 m)
Area	8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²)
Population Density	55/sq mi
Coordinates	39.9323°N, 121.0831°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 82.5"

117% above US avg

Snowfall 82.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.90"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	93.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.0 / 100
Community Resilience	60.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,808 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	29 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	30 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	42 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	29 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	137 km	25 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	108 km	3 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	121 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	28 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	109 km	3 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	137 km	5 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	114 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	110 km	-2 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	141 km	2 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	84 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	135 km	25 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	145 km	10 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	136 km	23 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	94 km	-1 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	147 km	8 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	78 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	62 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	82 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	99 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	66 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	85 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	99 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	94 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	99 km	4.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	99 km	21.7 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	62 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	73 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	72 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 28, 1970	EF1	89 km	2.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (72 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	72 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	180 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	189 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	191 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	195 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	DIXIE	979,795	47 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	23 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	46 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	64 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	77 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	99 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	21 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	44 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	67 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	46 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	32 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	20 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	85 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	86 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	61 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	69 km
1988	49R	36,673	77 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	20 km
2020	NORTH	34,120	94 km
2020	SHEEP	29,150	54 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	8.9 in	Wettest
February	35°F (2°C)	7.1 in
March	38°F (3°C)	6.8 in
April	42°F (6°C)	3.4 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.7 in
June	57°F (14°C)	0.9 in
July	69°F (20°C)	0.2 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.5 in
September	58°F (15°C)	1.0 in
October	50°F (10°C)	3.2 in
November	39°F (4°C)	7.0 in
December	33°F (1°C)	7.6 in	Coldest

Meadow Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 33°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.9") and July the driest (0.2").

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