Weather & Climate in Nipinnawasee, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nipinnawasee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. The area receives 2.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 45% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,896 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,896 ft (883 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 156/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4031°N, 119.7293°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Madera County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 44.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 25 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
5,652 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 91 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 82 km | 3 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 16 km NNW of Dyer, Nevada | M5.4 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 114 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 114 km | 8 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 125 km | 7 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 83 km | 4 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 146 km | -1 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 80 km | 4 km |
| Feb 16, 2016 | 8 km S of Wilkerson, California | M4.8 | 119 km | 15 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 148 km | -1 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 11 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.7 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 144 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
63 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF2 | 35 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2020 | EF1 | 50 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2019 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 70 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 63 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 57 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1986 | EF1 | 95 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1982 | EF1 | 93 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1980 | EF1 | 70 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1979 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1957 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (67 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 67 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 76 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 91 km |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 171 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CREEK (381,441 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CREEK | 381,441 | 47 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 61 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 97 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 27 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 38 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 57 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 67 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 41 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 53 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 34 km |
| 2013 | ASPEN | 23,564 | 43 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 20 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 34 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 65 km |
| 2014 | FRENCH | 14,534 | 35 km |
| 2018 | LIONS | 14,252 | 54 km |
| 2017 | RAILROAD | 12,765 | 11 km |
| 2012 | INDIAN | 12,655 | 99 km |
| 2008 | TEHIPITE | 12,205 | 96 km |
| 1989 | POWERHOUSE | 11,532 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 7.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 6.7 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
Nipinnawasee has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 35°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.6") and August the driest (0.1").