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Weather & Climate in Ponderosa, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ponderosa 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 323 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 22.5 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 7,241 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.5°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,241 ft (2,207 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 79/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1047°N, 118.5319°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Tulare County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) 81 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,229 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 92 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 103 km | 11 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | M6.1 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 113 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 79 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 94 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 79 km | 0 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 122 km | 12 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 118 km | 21 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 68 km | -2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 88 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 60 km | 2 km |
| Mar 7, 1998 | 30km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.0 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 25km SSW of Bodfish, California | M5.0 | 80 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 28, 1991 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 1, 1964 | EF1 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1962 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2019 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2019 | EF0 | 97 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2018 | EF0 | 77 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | EF0 | 98 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 27, 2008 | EF0 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 2004 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2004 | EF0 | 61 km | — | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1997 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1997 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 20, 1997 | EF0 | 59 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1996 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF0 | 55 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1993 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1993 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (34 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 34 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 140 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 176 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 194 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CASTLE (174,424 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CASTLE | 174,424 | 15 km |
| 2002 | MCNALLY | 146,540 | 13 km |
| 2015 | ROUGH | 146,369 | 89 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 97,831 | 16 km |
| 2021 | KNP COMPLEX | 89,960 | 58 km |
| 2000 | MANTER | 76,158 | 37 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 62 km |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 83 km |
| 2017 | PIER | 36,626 | 16 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 70 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 29,191 | 35 km |
| 2007 | INYO COMPLEX (OAK) | 28,447 | 86 km |
| 2021 | FRENCH | 27,331 | 46 km |
| 2011 | BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX | 27,229 | 81 km |
| 1984 | BODFISH | 23,189 | 60 km |
| 1990 | STORMY | 23,157 | 33 km |
| 2017 | LION | 18,576 | 21 km |
| 2011 | LION | 17,671 | 22 km |
| 2010 | BULL | 17,238 | 33 km |
| 2017 | SCHAEFFER | 16,100 | 15 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
Ponderosa has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 35°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (0.2").