Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rough and Ready enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 290 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 53.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,037 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
290 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,037 ft (621 m)
Area
3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density
208/sq mi
Coordinates
39.2340°N, 121.1380°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Yuba County County
Nearest Airport
Sacramento International (SMF) 44 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.2"
40% above US avg
Snowfall8.6"
Wettest Month (Jan)9.29"
Driest Month (Jul)0.08"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
80.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
30.4 / 100
Community Resilience
36.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
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 Moderate
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,540 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
136 km
14 km
May 24, 2013
2 km NNE of Canyondam, California
M5.7
107 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
108 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
78 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
107 km
6 km
Sep 12, 1994
8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California
M5.1
134 km
-1 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
108 km
3 km
Aug 10, 2016
20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California
M5.1
144 km
14 km
Sep 3, 2000
5 km WSW of Yountville, California
M4.9
146 km
9 km
Dec 22, 1995
California-Nevada border region
M4.9
142 km
4 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
105 km
4 km
Dec 28, 1995
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.8
141 km
-1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
109 km
3 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
94 km
1 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
90 km
-2 km
Dec 23, 1995
8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.7
142 km
-1 km
Jan 2, 2025
4 km NW of Cobb, CA
M4.7
146 km
1 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
75 km
10 km
Feb 18, 2004
4 km WNW of Cobb, California
M4.6
148 km
3 km
Sep 20, 1994
9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada
M4.5
141 km
-1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
67 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
58 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
49 km
0.3 mi
0
Feb 7, 1978
EF2
65 km
1.9 mi
0
Dec 19, 2023
EF1
87 km
0.4 mi
0
Dec 24, 2015
EF1
59 km
6.2 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
95 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
91 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
91 km
0.7 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
47 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
21 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
38 km
0.3 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
98 km
21.7 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
97 km
26.4 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
44 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 17, 1993
EF1
91 km
0.5 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
54 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
49 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
23 km
5.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1988
EF1
62 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 22, 1983
EF1
60 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (143 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
143 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
144 km
Soda Lakes
Maar(s)
1,251 m (4,104 ft)
Unknown
198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NORTH COMPLEX (316,556 acres, 2020).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2020
NORTH COMPLEX
316,556
55 km
2021
CALDOR
226,583
93 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
68 km
2014
KING
99,070
62 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
96 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
44 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
74 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
89 km
1994
COTTONWOOD
47,912
91 km
1988
49R
36,673
6 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
74 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
49 km
2008
CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)
26,418
55 km
2008
HUMBOLDT
23,769
70 km
1992
CLEVELAND
21,835
76 km
2008
AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)
20,709
47 km
2001
STAR
16,846
58 km
1999
MUSTY
16,846
85 km
2017
CASCADE
16,155
25 km
2001
MARTIS
14,526
99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
9.3 in
Wettest
February
46°F (8°C)
7.5 in
March
48°F (9°C)
7.1 in
April
53°F (12°C)
3.5 in
May
60°F (15°C)
1.3 in
June
67°F (20°C)
0.6 in
July
73°F (23°C)
0.1 in
Warmest, Driest
August
73°F (23°C)
0.2 in
September
68°F (20°C)
0.8 in
October
60°F (15°C)
3.0 in
November
49°F (9°C)
7.2 in
December
43°F (6°C)
8.0 in
Coldest
Rough and Ready has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 43°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.3") and July the driest (0.1").