Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stirling City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 75°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 66.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,449 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
276 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
3,449 ft (1,051 m)
Area
1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density
369/sq mi
Coordinates
39.9050°N, 121.5373°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Butte County County
Nearest Airport
Chico Regional (CIC) 21 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall66.0"
74% above US avg
Snowfall0.2"
Wettest Month (Jan)10.91"
Driest Month (Jul)0.16"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
93.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.0 / 100
Community Resilience
60.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively High
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Very 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
2,100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.7.
May 24, 2013
2 km NNE of Canyondam, California
M5.7
52 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
49 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
79 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
49 km
6 km
Apr 26, 2008
1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada
M5.1
143 km
3 km
Nov 26, 1998
7km NW of Redding, CA
M5.1
109 km
25 km
Aug 10, 2016
20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California
M5.1
126 km
14 km
Sep 8, 2023
12 km NE of Burney, CA
M5.0
117 km
16 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
50 km
4 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
145 km
1 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
144 km
3 km
Apr 18, 2007
15 km N of Potter Valley, California
M4.8
143 km
5 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
141 km
-2 km
Jan 19, 2008
31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.7
104 km
2 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
116 km
10 km
Nov 26, 1998
5km NNW of Redding, CA
M4.6
108 km
25 km
Nov 15, 1995
9 km SW of Cold Springs, Nevada
M4.5
130 km
-1 km
Jan 19, 2008
34 km WNW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.5
108 km
10 km
Jul 21, 1998
4 km NNW of Redding, California
M4.5
109 km
23 km
Aug 4, 2016
5 km WNW of Patton Village, California
M4.5
116 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
52 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
35 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
43 km
0.3 mi
0
Sep 24, 1986
EF2
44 km
2.0 mi
0
May 9, 1980
EF2
63 km
0.1 mi
0
May 19, 1953
EF2
58 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 19, 2023
EF1
28 km
0.4 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
61 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
63 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
59 km
0.7 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
92 km
0.3 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
94 km
2.0 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
62 km
21.7 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
71 km
26.4 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
51 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 17, 1993
EF1
66 km
0.5 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
56 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
43 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
66 km
5.0 mi
0
Mar 23, 1978
EF1
17 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 5, 1978
EF1
73 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (65 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
65 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
148 km
Shasta
Stratovolcano
4,317 m (14,163 ft)
1250
176 km
Medicine Lake
Shield
2,412 m (7,913 ft)
1060
190 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
74 km
2020
NORTH COMPLEX
316,556
40 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
18 km
1990
CAMPBELL
128,266
29 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
36 km
2007
MOONLIGHT
65,718
77 km
1999
GUN 2
61,203
38 km
2019
WALKER
58,747
84 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
10 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
25 km
1994
BARKLEY
44,256
30 km
1988
49R
36,673
79 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
19 km
2014
EILER
30,967
99 km
2020
SHEEP
29,150
85 km
2012
PONDEROSA
28,690
61 km
2012
READING
26,872
73 km
2008
CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)
26,418
36 km
2008
HUMBOLDT
23,769
26 km
1987
LOST
23,599
98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
10.9 in
Wettest
February
43°F (6°C)
8.4 in
March
45°F (7°C)
8.6 in
April
49°F (10°C)
4.5 in
May
57°F (14°C)
1.5 in
June
64°F (18°C)
0.8 in
July
75°F (24°C)
0.2 in
Warmest, Driest
August
69°F (21°C)
0.4 in
September
65°F (18°C)
1.2 in
October
56°F (14°C)
3.7 in
November
45°F (7°C)
9.2 in
December
40°F (5°C)
9.5 in
Coldest
Stirling City has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 40°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (10.9") and July the driest (0.2").