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Weather & Climate in Smith Valley, NV

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

Smith Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°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 6.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,770 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,770 ft (1,454 m)
Area47.3 sq mi (122.5 km²)
Population Density16/sq mi
Coordinates38.7869°N, 119.3687°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyDouglas County County
Nearest AirportReno/Tahoe International (RNO)
54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.2"
84% below US avg
Snowfall 0.7"
Wettest Month (Jan) 1.54"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score84.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability59.5 / 100
Community Resilience27.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6,415 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.

May 15, 2020 Monte Cristo Range, NV Earthquake M6.5 149 km 3 km
Sep 12, 1994 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada M6.1 25 km 14 km
Jul 8, 2021 Antelope Valley, CA M6.0 33 km 7 km
Oct 24, 1990 3 km NE of Mono City, California M5.8 84 km 11 km
May 15, 1999 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California M5.5 148 km 3 km
Sep 18, 2004 27 km NW of Benton, California M5.4 105 km 3 km
Sep 18, 2004 27 km NW of Benton, California M5.4 105 km 0 km
Apr 11, 2020 30km SE of Bodie, CA M5.2 99 km 8 km
Feb 13, 2013 39 km N of Dyer, Nevada M5.1 143 km 8 km
Sep 12, 1994 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California M5.1 29 km -1 km
Apr 26, 2008 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada M5.1 96 km 3 km
May 15, 2020 31 km SE of Mina, Nevada M5.1 147 km 7 km
Jul 8, 2021 32km SE of Markleeville, CA M5.0 33 km 7 km
Jun 30, 2020 29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada M5.0 142 km 8 km
May 15, 2020 28 km SSE of Mina, Nevada M4.9 141 km 4 km
Jul 15, 1998 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California M4.9 145 km 4 km
Jun 9, 1998 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California M4.9 142 km 5 km
Nov 30, 1997 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California M4.9 133 km 5 km
Dec 22, 1995 California-Nevada border region M4.9 24 km 4 km
Nov 22, 1997 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California M4.9 133 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 5, 2015 EF1 73 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 16, 1973 EF1 97 km 1.0 mi 0
May 26, 1964 EF1 28 km 2.0 mi 0
Sep 21, 2017 EF0 59 km 0.4 mi 0
Sep 13, 2017 EF0 67 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 8, 2015 EF0 64 km 2.7 mi 0
Apr 27, 2005 EF0 57 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 2, 2003 EF0 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 2003 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 1, 2002 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 10, 2000 EF0 92 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF0 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 1998 EF0 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 1998 EF0 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 14, 1997 EF0 69 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 9, 1997 EF0 59 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 5, 1995 EF0 72 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 7, 1989 EF0 22 km 1.0 mi 0
May 17, 1987 EF0 89 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 1, 1972 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (92 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Mono Lake Volcanic Field Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,121 m (6,959 ft) 1790 92 km
Soda Lakes Maar(s) 1,251 m (4,104 ft) Unknown 93 km
Mono-Inyo Craters Lava dome(s) 2,796 m (9,173 ft) 1380 113 km
Mammoth Mountain Lava dome(s) 3,369 m (11,053 ft) 1260 132 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 CALDOR 226,583 80 km
2021 TAMARACK 70,171 31 km
2018 DONNELL 36,151 60 km
2017 EARTHSTONE 35,305 90 km
1985 GOOSEBERRY 29,290 79 km
2020 SLINK 26,437 34 km
2013 BISON 23,611 19 km
2002 CANNON 23,605 36 km
1992 CLEVELAND 21,835 92 km
2020 NUMBERS 18,998 20 km
2015 WASHINGTON 18,485 33 km
2004 POWER 17,266 85 km
1984 INDIAN 16,990 28 km
1999 UNNAMED 15,703 81 km
2007 ADRIAN 1 14,564 46 km
2001 MARTIS 14,526 84 km
2020 MOUNTAIN VIEW 14,416 25 km
2013 SPRING PEAK 13,901 73 km
2023 QUARRY 11,098 92 km
1999 PAH RAH 10,080 89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (0°C) 1.5 in Wettest
February 35°F (2°C) 1.4 in
March 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
April 45°F (7°C) 0.6 in
May 53°F (12°C) 0.8 in
June 62°F (17°C) 0.7 in
July 73°F (23°C) 0.5 in Warmest, Driest
August 69°F (20°C) 0.5 in
September 61°F (16°C) 0.5 in
October 51°F (10°C) 0.6 in
November 40°F (4°C) 1.2 in
December 32°F (0°C) 1.2 in Coldest

Smith Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 32°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.5") and July the driest (0.5").

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