Weather & Climate in Princeton, CA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Princeton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 76°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 17.2 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 76 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	76 ft (23 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density	289/sq mi
Coordinates	39.4016°N, 122.0194°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Colusa County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.2"

55% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.70"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	49.5 / 100
Community Resilience	25.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Drought	Very High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,405 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	134 km	11 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	120 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	118 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	129 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	118 km	6 km
Nov 26, 1998	7km NW of Redding, CA	M5.1	140 km	25 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	68 km	14 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	119 km	9 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	118 km	4 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	102 km	7 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	94 km	5 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	95 km	4 km
Jan 19, 2008	31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California	M4.7	104 km	2 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	89 km	1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	147 km	10 km
Nov 26, 1998	5km NNW of Redding, CA	M4.6	139 km	25 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	104 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	90 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	95 km	2 km
Sep 25, 2012	3 km N of Talmage, California	M4.5	102 km	11 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	41 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	41 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 1986	EF2	59 km	2.0 mi	0
May 9, 1980	EF2	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	92 km	1.9 mi	0
May 19, 1953	EF2	41 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 19, 2023	EF1	47 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	23 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	20 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 2014	EF1	22 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	51 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	89 km	4.0 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	27 km	21.7 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF1	20 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1993	EF1	17 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	41 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	56 km	5.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (81 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	81 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	129 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANCH (427,048 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	RANCH	427,048	67 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	85 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	90 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	55 km
1990	CAMPBELL	128,266	73 km
2015	ROCKY	96,125	66 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	81 km
1996	FORK	83,209	66 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	85 km
1999	GUN 2	61,203	88 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	89 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	70 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	94 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	94 km
1994	BARKLEY	44,256	83 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	75 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	72 km
1988	49R	36,673	72 km
1999	MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)	34,459	81 km
2012	MILL	29,924	53 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	3.1 in
March	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in
April	60°F (15°C)	0.9 in
May	67°F (19°C)	0.6 in
June	72°F (22°C)	0.3 in
July	76°F (25°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in
September	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	1.1 in
November	53°F (11°C)	2.6 in
December	46°F (8°C)	2.5 in	Coldest

Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 46°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.7") and July the driest (0.0").

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