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Weather & Climate in Rancho Calaveras, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rancho Calaveras enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 326 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 22.9 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 562 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 562 ft (171 m) |
| Area | 8.4 sq mi (21.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 663/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1333°N, 120.8618°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Calaveras County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sacramento International (SMF) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,272 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 | 130 km | 14 km |
| Aug 24, 2014 | The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 124 km | -1 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 135 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 123 km | -1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 146 km | -2 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 126 km | -1 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 115 km | 8 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA | M4.6 | 121 km | 2 km |
| Dec 12, 1996 | 4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.6 | 128 km | -2 km |
| Jul 9, 2021 | 30km SE of Markleeville, CA | M4.6 | 123 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 1978 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2015 | EF1 | 67 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 67 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 2010 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1983 | EF1 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 56 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 52 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.5 m | 30 | 119 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 145 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 138 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (161 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 161 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 165 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 170 km |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (405,787 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX | 405,787 | 91 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 82 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 82 km |
| 2014 | KING | 99,070 | 93 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 92 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 28 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 95 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 68 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 93 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 80 km |
| 2006 | CANYON | 36,851 | 96 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 95 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 95 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 86 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 34 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 71 km |
| 2004 | POWER | 17,266 | 65 km |
| 2024 | CORRAL | 16,138 | 76 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 49 km |
| 2018 | WAVERLY | 12,238 | 15 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
Rancho Calaveras has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 46°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.9") and July the driest (0.1").