Weather & Climate in Nevada City, CA

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

Nevada City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 74°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 62.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 86% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,392 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.2°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,392 ft (729 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density	1,408/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2596°N, 121.0333°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Yuba County County
Nearest Airport	Sacramento International (SMF) 49 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 62.3"

64% above US avg

Snowfall 14.5"

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.29"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	85.8%
Unhealthy Days	2

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	30.4 / 100
Community Resilience	36.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively 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

2,514 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	129 km	14 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	104 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	105 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	71 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	104 km	6 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	127 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	99 km	3 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	102 km	4 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	135 km	4 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	85 km	1 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	99 km	3 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	134 km	-1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	81 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	135 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	66 km	10 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	144 km	-2 km
Sep 20, 1994	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.5	134 km	-1 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	113 km	8 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	93 km	-1 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	122 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

64 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	63 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	55 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	72 km	1.9 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	92 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	94 km	0.4 mi	0
Dec 24, 2015	EF1	62 km	6.2 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	98 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	47 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	24 km	4.0 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	31 km	5.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	55 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1983	EF1	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (143 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	143 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	153 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	188 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH COMPLEX (316,556 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	52 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	88 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	71 km
2014	KING	99,070	56 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	94 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	38 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	100 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	75 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	88 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	82 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	93 km
1988	49R	36,673	15 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	74 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	41 km
2008	CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)	26,418	53 km
2008	HUMBOLDT	23,769	74 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	70 km
2008	AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)	20,709	38 km
2001	STAR	16,846	50 km
1999	MUSTY	16,846	89 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	9.3 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	7.5 in
March	48°F (9°C)	7.1 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.5 in
May	60°F (15°C)	1.3 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.6 in
July	74°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.2 in
September	68°F (20°C)	0.8 in
October	60°F (15°C)	3.0 in
November	49°F (9°C)	7.2 in
December	43°F (6°C)	8.0 in

Nevada City has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 43°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.3") and July the driest (0.1").

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