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Weather & Climate in Sparks, NV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparks experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 337 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 15.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,524 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 337 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,524 ft (1,379 m) |
| Area | 36.5 sq mi (94.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,989/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.5743°N, 119.7152°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Storey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 25.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,874 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 | 84 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 120 km | 7 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California | M5.7 | 134 km | 8 km |
| May 11, 2023 | Lake Almanor Earthquake | M5.5 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2001 | 3 km N of Blairsden, California | M5.2 | 82 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2023 | 4km NW of Canyondam, CA | M5.2 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada | M5.1 | 20 km | 3 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 89 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 95 km | 4 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA | M4.9 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Oct 1, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada | M4.8 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada | M4.8 | 19 km | 3 km |
| Feb 10, 1993 | 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada | M4.8 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 96 km | -1 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 43 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 44 km | -2 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 13 km SE of Walker, California | M4.7 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 94 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
26 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1973 | EF1 | 64 km | 25.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1973 | EF1 | 6 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1964 | EF1 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | EF0 | 49 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2015 | EF0 | 49 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2015 | EF0 | 74 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2005 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2004 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2003 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2002 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 2000 | EF0 | 5 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1999 | EF0 | 5 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1998 | EF0 | 14 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1997 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (73 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Soda Lakes | Maar(s) | 1,251 m (4,104 ft) | Unknown | 73 km |
| Lassen Volcanic Center | Stratovolcano | 3,187 m (10,456 ft) | 1917 | 184 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 185 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SUGAR (108,368 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | SUGAR | 108,368 | 58 km |
| 2017 | TRUCKEE | 98,411 | 50 km |
| 2017 | TOHAKUM 2 | 92,711 | 83 km |
| 2017 | LONG VALLEY | 80,456 | 50 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 97 km |
| 2019 | WALKER | 58,747 | 94 km |
| 2018 | PERRY | 53,734 | 32 km |
| 1994 | COTTONWOOD | 47,912 | 41 km |
| 1999 | FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) | 47,030 | 52 km |
| 2020 | LOYALTON | 45,484 | 37 km |
| 1987 | CLARK | 39,194 | 78 km |
| 2016 | TULE | 35,341 | 48 km |
| 2017 | EARTHSTONE | 35,305 | 17 km |
| 2020 | NORTH | 34,120 | 39 km |
| 1985 | GOOSEBERRY | 29,290 | 30 km |
| 2013 | AMERICAN | 27,938 | 90 km |
| 2013 | BISON | 23,611 | 74 km |
| 2007 | ANTELOPE COMPLEX (WHEELER) | 23,108 | 97 km |
| 2001 | FISH | 21,860 | 57 km |
| 2008 | AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT) | 20,709 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in |
Sparks has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 29°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.2") and July the driest (0.3").