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Weather & Climate in Pioneer, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pioneer enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 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 32.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,090 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.0°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,090 ft (942 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 307/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4338°N, 120.5861°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Amador County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sacramento International (SMF) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,746 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 | 92 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 95 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 135 km | 11 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 86 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 95 km | 7 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 89 km | 4 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 87 km | -1 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 106 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 106 km | -2 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 89 km | -1 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 107 km | 7 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 128 km | 4 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA | M4.6 | 91 km | 2 km |
| Dec 12, 1996 | 4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.6 | 93 km | -2 km |
| Jul 9, 2021 | 30km SE of Markleeville, CA | M4.6 | 92 km | 4 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 15 km SW of Westley, CA | M4.5 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Mar 21, 2020 | 5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada | M4.5 | 105 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 1978 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 55 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 81 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1983 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 92 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 65 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 42 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (144 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 144 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 153 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 163 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 192 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 199 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 79 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 41 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 55 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 68 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 19 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 82 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 89 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 70 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 97 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 85 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 67 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 78 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 89 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 99 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 46 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 86 km |
| 2020 | NUMBERS | 18,998 | 100 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 81 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 30 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 7.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 6.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 6.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 6.6 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 6.8 in | Coldest |
Pioneer has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 42°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.9") and July the driest (0.2").