Weather & Climate in Paynes Creek, CA

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

Paynes Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 271 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 50.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,073 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	46.2°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,073 ft (632 m)
Area	3.4 sq mi (8.9 km²)
Population Density	7/sq mi
Coordinates	40.3419°N, 121.9250°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Tehama County County
Nearest Airport	Redding Regional (RDD) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.1"

32% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.18"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	88.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.9 / 100
Community Resilience	27.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
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 High
Volcano	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

1,779 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	75 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	71 km	6 km
Apr 30, 2008	3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California	M5.4	144 km	28 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	126 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	72 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	52 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	135 km	14 km
Sep 8, 2023	12 km NE of Burney, CA	M5.0	75 km	16 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	74 km	4 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	140 km	5 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	69 km	2 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	50 km	25 km
Jan 19, 2008	34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.5	73 km	10 km
Jul 21, 1998	4 km NNW of Redding, California	M4.5	52 km	23 km
Aug 28, 2016	8 km ESE of Mad River, California	M4.5	126 km	36 km
Aug 4, 2016	5 km WNW of Patton Village, California	M4.5	147 km	7 km
Mar 9, 1992	8 km SE of Hyampom, California	M4.4	125 km	33 km
May 10, 2005	10 km NW of Burney, California	M4.4	69 km	17 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km NW of Belden, CA	M4.4	63 km	8 km
Mar 27, 1997	14km SW of Manton, CA	M4.4	5 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	87 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	96 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	47 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	34 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	69 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	60 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	87 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	86 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	85 km	0.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	94 km	26.4 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	83 km	21.7 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 5, 1978	EF1	50 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	57 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2021	EF0	61 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	44 km	2.7 mi	0
Jan 4, 2021	EF0	55 km	0.8 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	83 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (39 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	39 km
Shasta	Stratovolcano	4,317 m (14,163 ft)	1250	121 km
Medicine Lake	Shield	2,412 m (7,913 ft)	1060	145 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	169 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	90 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	97 km
2018	CARR	233,710	70 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	73 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	35 km
2021	MCFARLAND	121,554	85 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	94 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	68 km
2018	DELTA	63,732	87 km
1992	FOUNTAIN	62,340	56 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	21 km
2020	ZOGG	56,941	60 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	68 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	65 km
2012	BAGLEY	47,731	78 km
2018	HIRZ	46,700	77 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	29 km
2014	BALD	39,770	78 km
2008	SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON)	36,514	67 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	73 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	6.2 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	5.0 in
March	48°F (9°C)	5.2 in
April	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in
May	62°F (17°C)	1.6 in
June	70°F (21°C)	0.8 in
July	63°F (17°C)	0.2 in	Driest
August	75°F (24°C)	0.5 in	Warmest
September	70°F (21°C)	1.3 in
October	60°F (16°C)	2.7 in
November	48°F (9°C)	5.7 in
December	42°F (6°C)	5.8 in

Paynes Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 33°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 37.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and July the driest (0.2").

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