Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oroville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 326 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 25.7 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 189 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (9°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average
47°F (9°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
326 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
189 ft (58 m)
Area
13.0 sq mi (33.7 km²)
Population Density
1,428/sq mi
Coordinates
39.4954°N, 121.5601°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Butte County County
Nearest Airport
Chico Regional (CIC) 28 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall25.7"
32% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan)5.16"
Driest Month (Jul)0.04"
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
4,504 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
88 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
88 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
88 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
87 km
6 km
Nov 26, 1998
7km NW of Redding, CA
M5.1
145 km
25 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
139 km
3 km
Aug 10, 2016
20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California
M5.1
108 km
14 km
Sep 3, 2000
5 km WSW of Yountville, California
M4.9
144 km
9 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
87 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
132 km
1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
140 km
3 km
Sep 4, 1995
13 km SW of Middletown, California
M4.8
136 km
7 km
Apr 18, 2007
15 km N of Potter Valley, California
M4.8
133 km
5 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
128 km
-2 km
May 12, 2006
7 km W of Cobb, California
M4.7
132 km
4 km
Jan 19, 2008
31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.7
124 km
2 km
Jan 2, 2025
4 km NW of Cobb, CA
M4.7
126 km
1 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
107 km
10 km
Nov 26, 1998
5km NNW of Redding, CA
M4.6
144 km
25 km
Jan 11, 2000
6 km N of Geyserville, California
M4.6
142 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
13 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
3 km
0.3 mi
0
Sep 24, 1986
EF2
64 km
2.0 mi
0
May 9, 1980
EF2
90 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 7, 1978
EF2
89 km
1.9 mi
0
May 19, 1953
EF2
60 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 19, 2023
EF1
42 km
0.4 mi
0
Dec 24, 2015
EF1
96 km
6.2 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
51 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
47 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
47 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
64 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
46 km
0.3 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
49 km
2.0 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
55 km
26.4 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
53 km
21.7 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
5 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 17, 1993
EF1
49 km
0.5 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
16 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
3 km
1.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (111 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
111 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
120 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
45 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
28 km
1990
CAMPBELL
128,266
65 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
74 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
90 km
1999
GUN 2
61,203
79 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
41 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
64 km
1994
BARKLEY
44,256
71 km
1988
49R
36,673
41 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
48 km
2012
MILL
29,924
94 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
93 km
2008
CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)
26,418
40 km
2001
TROUGH
25,270
99 km
2008
HUMBOLDT
23,769
25 km
1990
FINLEY
22,239
96 km
2008
CUB COMPLEX (CUB)
20,772
78 km
2008
AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)
20,709
89 km
2012
SIXTEEN COMPLEX
18,191
84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (9°C)
5.2 in
Wettest
February
51°F (11°C)
4.3 in
March
55°F (13°C)
4.1 in
April
60°F (15°C)
1.6 in
May
68°F (20°C)
0.8 in
June
75°F (24°C)
0.4 in
July
81°F (27°C)
0.0 in
Warmest, Driest
August
77°F (25°C)
0.1 in
September
73°F (23°C)
0.5 in
October
64°F (18°C)
1.6 in
November
53°F (12°C)
3.8 in
December
46°F (8°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
Oroville has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (0.0").