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Weather & Climate in Preston, NV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Preston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 330 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 9.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,638 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.8°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,638 ft (1,718 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 162/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9149°N, 115.0637°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | White Pine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cedar City Regional (CDC) 136 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
334 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Sep 10, 2019 | 44 km E of Austin, Nevada | M4.6 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Jul 19, 2023 | 45 km E of Austin, Nevada | M4.5 | 143 km | 4 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 47 km SW of Eureka, Nevada | M4.2 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jun 30, 2019 | 6 km E of Panaca, Nevada | M4.2 | 141 km | 3 km |
| May 23, 2019 | 63 km NE of Tonopah, Nevada | M4.2 | 148 km | 15 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 35 km ESE of Austin, Nevada | M4.1 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Dec 29, 1998 | 28 km NW of Rachel, Nevada | M4.1 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Sep 1, 2000 | 17 km NNW of Rachel, Nevada | M4.1 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Jul 21, 1992 | Nevada | M4.1 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2016 | 14 km NE of Eureka, Nevada | M4.0 | 100 km | 0 km |
| Feb 28, 2015 | 27 km W of Preston, Nevada | M3.9 | 27 km | 0 km |
| Apr 30, 2011 | 73 km ENE of Tonopah, Nevada | M3.9 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Mar 14, 2006 | 24 km N of Eureka, Nevada | M3.8 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Aug 29, 2013 | 42 km WNW of Preston, Nevada | M3.8 | 42 km | 0 km |
| Jan 25, 2019 | 82 km N of Rachel, Nevada | M3.8 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Dec 21, 2013 | 15 km NNE of Hiko, Nevada | M3.8 | 133 km | 7 km |
| Oct 12, 2013 | 23 km W of Preston, Nevada | M3.8 | 23 km | 9 km |
| Dec 8, 1990 | 25 km WNW of Preston, Nevada | M3.8 | 25 km | 10 km |
| Sep 10, 2019 | 46 km W of Eureka, Nevada | M3.8 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Sep 8, 2011 | 33 km ESE of Eureka, Nevada | M3.8 | 70 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 23, 1998 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1998 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1988 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1987 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1977 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1975 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 1967 | EF0 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1967 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RAINBOW COMPLEX (MULE) (17,858 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | RAINBOW COMPLEX (MULE) | 17,858 | 59 km |
| 2014 | HAMPTON | 11,675 | 91 km |
| 2012 | NORTH SCHELL | 11,652 | 88 km |
| 2014 | BEAR TRAP | 10,717 | 77 km |
| 2006 | SHERWOOD | 8,803 | 79 km |
| 1997 | TABLE | 8,638 | 93 km |
| 2020 | BROWN | 8,445 | 12 km |
| 1999 | SELLEM | 8,141 | 77 km |
| 2012 | EGAN | 7,242 | 20 km |
| 2020 | MILLER | 4,951 | 96 km |
| 2012 | RANGE | 4,882 | 50 km |
| 2013 | BLACK | 4,798 | 77 km |
| 1985 | GEYSER 2 | 4,755 | 57 km |
| 1987 | BASSET | 4,742 | 72 km |
| 2016 | STRAWBERRY | 4,507 | 71 km |
| 2007 | CATHEDRAL | 4,202 | 47 km |
| 1984 | MCCOY | 4,101 | 69 km |
| 1987 | UHALDE | 3,865 | 66 km |
| 2006 | KICKSMILLER | 3,307 | 68 km |
| 2006 | 4 WHEELER | 3,147 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 1.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in |
Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 28°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.0") and February the driest (0.7").