Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Minden experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 70°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 9.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,709 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average
33°F (0°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
4,709 ft (1,435 m)
Area
4.3 sq mi (11.0 km²)
Population Density
894/sq mi
Coordinates
38.9646°N, 119.7666°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Douglas County County
Nearest Airport
Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 37 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall9.3"
75% below US avg
Snowfall21.8"
Wettest Month (Jan)1.73"
Driest Month (Jul)0.35"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
84.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.5 / 100
Community Resilience
27.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively High
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Relatively Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,346 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
19 km
14 km
Jul 8, 2021
Antelope Valley, CA
M6.0
56 km
7 km
Oct 24, 1990
3 km NE of Mono City, California
M5.8
115 km
11 km
Sep 18, 2004
27 km NW of Benton, California
M5.4
142 km
3 km
Sep 18, 2004
27 km NW of Benton, California
M5.4
142 km
0 km
Apr 11, 2020
30km SE of Bodie, CA
M5.2
136 km
8 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
119 km
5 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
64 km
3 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
22 km
-1 km
Jul 8, 2021
32km SE of Markleeville, CA
M5.0
55 km
7 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
29 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
43 km
1 km
Oct 1, 2011
7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada
M4.8
87 km
4 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
30 km
-1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
63 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
47 km
-2 km
Apr 26, 2008
27km SE of Smith Valley, NV
M4.7
68 km
4 km
Dec 23, 1995
8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.7
29 km
-1 km
Mar 9, 2007
13 km SE of Walker, California
M4.7
69 km
7 km
Sep 20, 2004
27 km NNW of Benton, California
M4.7
143 km
2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020
EF1
90 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF1
91 km
0.4 mi
0
Jul 16, 1973
EF1
71 km
1.0 mi
0
May 26, 1964
EF1
49 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 21, 2017
EF0
20 km
0.4 mi
0
Sep 13, 2017
EF0
29 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 8, 2015
EF0
26 km
2.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2005
EF0
29 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 24, 2004
EF0
74 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
34 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 2, 2003
EF0
65 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 1, 2002
EF0
71 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 10, 2000
EF0
65 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 13, 1999
EF0
65 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 30, 1998
EF0
73 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
76 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF0
84 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 14, 1997
EF0
93 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1997
EF0
53 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 5, 1995
EF0
69 km
0.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Soda Lakes (100 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Soda Lakes
Maar(s)
1,251 m (4,104 ft)
Unknown
100 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
Pyroclastic cone(s)
2,121 m (6,959 ft)
1790
125 km
Mono-Inyo Craters
Lava dome(s)
2,796 m (9,173 ft)
1380
144 km
Mammoth Mountain
Lava dome(s)
3,369 m (11,053 ft)
1260
162 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
CALDOR
226,583
53 km
2014
KING
99,070
67 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
80 km
2021
TAMARACK
70,171
29 km
2018
PERRY
53,734
96 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
80 km
2020
LOYALTON
45,484
87 km
2018
DONNELL
36,151
65 km
2017
EARTHSTONE
35,305
73 km
1985
GOOSEBERRY
29,290
67 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
73 km
2020
SLINK
26,437
52 km
2013
BISON
23,611
25 km
2002
CANNON
23,605
61 km
1992
CLEVELAND
21,835
59 km
2008
AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)
20,709
77 km
2020
NUMBERS
18,998
20 km
2015
WASHINGTON
18,485
36 km
1985
HUNGRY VA3
18,177
87 km
2004
POWER
17,266
68 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
33°F (0°C)
1.7 in
Wettest
February
37°F (3°C)
1.5 in
March
41°F (5°C)
1.1 in
April
46°F (8°C)
0.6 in
May
54°F (12°C)
0.6 in
June
62°F (17°C)
0.5 in
July
70°F (21°C)
0.4 in
Warmest, Driest
August
68°F (20°C)
0.4 in
September
61°F (16°C)
0.5 in
October
50°F (10°C)
0.7 in
November
40°F (4°C)
1.4 in
December
32°F (0°C)
1.4 in
Coldest
Minden has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 32°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.7") and July the driest (0.4").