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Weather & Climate in Potter Valley, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Potter Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 293 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 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 939 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 59.1°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 939 ft (286 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 152/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3171°N, 123.1099°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Mendocino County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chico Regional (CIC) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| 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 |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,919 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.
| Apr 25, 1992 | The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake | M7.2 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Aug 24, 2014 | The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 141 km | 11 km |
| Aug 17, 1991 | 30 km SSW of Scotia, California | M6.0 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2019 | 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA | M5.6 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1990 | 30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.4 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Jan 1, 2023 | 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA | M5.4 | 142 km | 31 km |
| Mar 8, 1992 | 27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | M5.3 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 27 km | 14 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Sep 4, 1995 | 13 km SW of Middletown, California | M4.8 | 77 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 15 km N of Potter Valley, California | M4.8 | 16 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2006 | 7 km W of Cobb, California | M4.7 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.7 | 102 km | 2 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 4 km NW of Cobb, CA | M4.7 | 61 km | 1 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 6 km N of Geyserville, California | M4.6 | 63 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2004 | 4 km WNW of Cobb, California | M4.6 | 61 km | 3 km |
| Jan 12, 2014 | 8 km W of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 62 km | 2 km |
| Sep 25, 2012 | 3 km N of Talmage, California | M4.5 | 17 km | 11 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California | M4.5 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2008 | 34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California | M4.5 | 99 km | 10 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: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 19, 1953 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2014 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 88 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 81 km | 26.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 27, 2005 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1996 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1993 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1992 | EF1 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1964 | EF1 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1959 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 4, 2021 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2013 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF0 | 83 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2011 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2010 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 2009 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (49 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 49 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 189 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | AUGUST COMPLEX | 1,068,802 | 70 km |
| 2018 | RANCH | 427,048 | 29 km |
| 2015 | ROCKY | 96,125 | 73 km |
| 2008 | YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON) | 94,888 | 87 km |
| 1996 | FORK | 83,209 | 34 km |
| 2019 | KINCADE | 77,780 | 77 km |
| 2015 | VALLEY | 77,507 | 73 km |
| 2020 | GLASS | 68,020 | 98 km |
| 2020 | WALLBRIDGE | 55,194 | 78 km |
| 1987 | MENDENHALL | 54,162 | 26 km |
| 2018 | RIVER | 48,920 | 30 km |
| 2012 | NORTH PASS | 43,689 | 64 km |
| 2004 | RUMSEY | 39,335 | 95 km |
| 1999 | SIXTEEN | 37,162 | 89 km |
| 2017 | TUBBS | 36,981 | 91 km |
| 2017 | REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT | 36,545 | 9 km |
| 2012 | MILL | 29,924 | 42 km |
| 2001 | TROUGH | 25,270 | 36 km |
| 2017 | 18,691 | 64 km | |
| 2012 | SIXTEEN COMPLEX | 18,191 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 8.4 in | Wettest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 6.3 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 0.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 6.4 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 7.2 in | Coldest |
Potter Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 44°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.4") and July the driest (0.1").