Weather & Climate in Sierra City, CA

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

Sierra City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 276 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 64.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 4,794 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	53.1°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,794 ft (1,461 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density	99/sq mi
Coordinates	39.5727°N, 120.6276°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Sierra County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.9"

71% above US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.11"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.2 / 100
Community Resilience	31.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,540 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	119 km	14 km
May 24, 2013	2 km NNE of Canyondam, California	M5.7	78 km	8 km
May 11, 2023	Lake Almanor Earthquake	M5.5	81 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	27 km	5 km
May 12, 2023	4km NW of Canyondam, CA	M5.2	80 km	6 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	119 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	59 km	3 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	128 km	4 km
May 24, 2013	1km NNW of Canyondam, CA	M4.9	78 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	60 km	3 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	59 km	1 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	129 km	5 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	127 km	-1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	55 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	127 km	-1 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	30 km	10 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	137 km	-2 km
Sep 20, 1994	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.5	126 km	-1 km
Nov 15, 1995	9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada	M4.5	49 km	-1 km
Mar 21, 2020	5 km NE of Indian Hills, Nevada	M4.5	92 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF2	85 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 10, 1994	EF2	81 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	46 km	0.4 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	71 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	95 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 8, 2005	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 7, 1993	EF1	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 17, 1992	EF1	70 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1978	EF1	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1973	EF1	74 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 18, 2020	EF0	80 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 21, 2018	EF0	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	82 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 2015	EF0	67 km	3.2 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	82 km	2.7 mi	0
Mar 25, 2014	EF0	91 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF0	81 km	0.4 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (127 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	127 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	151 km
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	196 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DIXIE (979,795 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	DIXIE	979,795	86 km
2020	NORTH COMPLEX	316,556	46 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	99 km
2018	CAMP	153,687	83 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	57 km
2014	KING	99,070	72 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	76 km
2012	CHIPS	79,978	76 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	59 km
2007	MOONLIGHT	65,718	73 km
2019	WALKER	58,747	58 km
2008	BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)	52,091	76 km
2000	STORRIE	49,588	76 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	37 km
1999	FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)	47,030	85 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	46 km
1987	CLARK	39,194	66 km
1988	49R	36,673	62 km
2016	TULE	35,341	95 km
2017	EARTHSTONE	35,305	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	8.1 in	Wettest
February	31°F (-0°C)	6.9 in	Coldest
March	34°F (1°C)	6.3 in
April	38°F (3°C)	3.2 in
May	45°F (7°C)	2.0 in
June	53°F (11°C)	1.0 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.4 in	Warmest, Driest
August	62°F (17°C)	0.6 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
October	48°F (9°C)	2.8 in
November	38°F (3°C)	6.3 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	6.8 in

Sierra City has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 31°F in February to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.1") and July the driest (0.4").

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