Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thermalito enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 302 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 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 185 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.5°F
18% above US avg
January Average
49°F (9°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
302 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
185 ft (56 m)
Area
12.9 sq mi (33.3 km²)
Population Density
524/sq mi
Coordinates
39.5089°N, 121.6011°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Butte County County
Nearest Airport
Chico Regional (CIC) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall30.6"
20% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan)6.22"
Driest Month (Jul)0.04"
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
4,539 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
89 km
8 km
May 11, 2023
Lake Almanor Earthquake
M5.5
88 km
6 km
Aug 10, 2001
3 km N of Blairsden, California
M5.2
91 km
5 km
May 12, 2023
4km NW of Canyondam, CA
M5.2
88 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
142 km
25 km
Aug 10, 2016
20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California
M5.1
105 km
14 km
Sep 3, 2000
5 km WSW of Yountville, California
M4.9
144 km
9 km
May 24, 2013
1km NNW of Canyondam, CA
M4.9
87 km
4 km
Apr 26, 2008
0 km N of Mogul, Nevada
M4.8
144 km
3 km
Oct 30, 1998
4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
136 km
1 km
Sep 4, 1995
13 km SW of Middletown, California
M4.8
135 km
7 km
Apr 18, 2007
15 km N of Potter Valley, California
M4.8
129 km
5 km
Jun 26, 2005
8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California
M4.8
132 km
-2 km
May 12, 2006
7 km W of Cobb, California
M4.7
130 km
4 km
Jan 19, 2008
31 km NW of Rancho Tehama Reserve, California
M4.7
120 km
2 km
Jan 2, 2025
4 km NW of Cobb, CA
M4.7
124 km
1 km
May 7, 2021
19km NW of Truckee, CA
M4.7
111 km
10 km
Nov 26, 1998
5km NNW of Redding, CA
M4.6
141 km
25 km
Jan 11, 2000
6 km N of Geyserville, California
M4.6
140 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2011
EF2
10 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 10, 1994
EF2
3 km
0.3 mi
0
Sep 24, 1986
EF2
61 km
2.0 mi
0
May 9, 1980
EF2
87 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 7, 1978
EF2
91 km
1.9 mi
0
May 19, 1953
EF2
56 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 19, 2023
EF1
39 km
0.4 mi
0
Dec 24, 2015
EF1
99 km
6.2 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
43 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
47 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 26, 2014
EF1
43 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
68 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
50 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 22, 2012
EF1
48 km
0.3 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
51 km
26.4 mi
0
May 25, 2011
EF1
50 km
21.7 mi
0
Jan 8, 2005
EF1
7 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 17, 1993
EF1
45 km
0.5 mi
0
Jan 7, 1993
EF1
14 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 17, 1992
EF1
3 km
1.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Lassen Volcanic Center (110 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Lassen Volcanic Center
Stratovolcano
3,187 m (10,456 ft)
1917
110 km
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
117 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
47 km
2018
CAMP
153,687
27 km
1990
CAMPBELL
128,266
62 km
2015
ROCKY
96,125
99 km
2012
CHIPS
79,978
74 km
2022
MOSQUITO
77,858
94 km
1999
GUN 2
61,203
77 km
2008
BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (LONG BRANCH-JACK)
52,091
40 km
2000
STORRIE
49,588
64 km
1994
BARKLEY
44,256
69 km
1988
49R
36,673
45 km
1999
MHRD COMPLEX (BUCKS)
34,459
49 km
2012
MILL
29,924
91 km
2013
AMERICAN
27,938
97 km
2008
CANYON COMPLEX (SCOTCH)
26,418
42 km
2001
TROUGH
25,270
96 km
2008
HUMBOLDT
23,769
23 km
1990
FINLEY
22,239
94 km
2008
CUB COMPLEX (CUB)
20,772
77 km
2008
AMERICAN RIVER COMPLEX (GOVERNMENT)
20,709
93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (9°C)
6.2 in
Wettest
February
50°F (10°C)
5.0 in
March
54°F (12°C)
5.0 in
April
59°F (15°C)
2.1 in
May
67°F (19°C)
0.9 in
June
74°F (24°C)
0.4 in
July
80°F (27°C)
0.0 in
Warmest, Driest
August
78°F (26°C)
0.2 in
September
74°F (23°C)
0.6 in
October
65°F (18°C)
1.9 in
November
53°F (11°C)
4.7 in
December
46°F (8°C)
4.7 in
Coldest
Thermalito has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and July the driest (0.0").