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Weather & Climate in Placerville, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Placerville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,952 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 59.8°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,952 ft (595 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,837/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.7311°N, 120.7977°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | El Dorado County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sacramento International (SMF) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,789 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 | 100 km | 14 km |
| Aug 24, 2014 | The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 115 km | 3 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 95 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 115 km | 7 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 101 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 99 km | -1 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 116 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 88 km | -2 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 101 km | -1 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 19km NW of Truckee, CA | M4.7 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA | M4.6 | 112 km | 2 km |
| Dec 12, 1996 | 4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.6 | 108 km | -2 km |
| Jul 9, 2021 | 30km SE of Markleeville, CA | M4.6 | 113 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 1978 | EF2 | 57 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 28 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | EF1 | 43 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 1992 | EF1 | 83 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1983 | EF1 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 21 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2019 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2018 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (173 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 173 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 174 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 186 km |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 189 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 197 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 44 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 31 km |
| 2022 | MOSQUITO | 77,858 | 36 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 55 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 94 km |
| 1988 | 49R | 36,673 | 67 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 93 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 49 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 34 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 56 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 96 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 67 km |
| 2004 | POWER | 17,266 | 52 km |
| 1984 | INDIAN | 16,990 | 96 km |
| 2001 | STAR | 16,846 | 49 km |
| 2017 | CASCADE | 16,155 | 86 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 73 km |
| 2001 | MARTIS | 14,526 | 99 km |
| 2006 | ZAM ASSIST | 14,404 | 96 km |
| 2018 | WAVERLY | 12,238 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 7.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 6.4 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 6.4 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 6.3 in | |
| December | 44°F (6°C) | 6.5 in | Coldest |
Placerville has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 44°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.6") and July the driest (0.2").