Weather & Climate in Topaz, CA

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

Topaz experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 35°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 5.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.3 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 5,010 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	51.9°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,010 ft (1,527 m)
Area	12.2 sq mi (31.5 km²)
Population Density	18/sq mi
Coordinates	38.6381°N, 119.5018°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Alpine County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 5.9"

84% below US avg

Snowfall 18.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.99"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	10.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	44.1 / 100
Community Resilience	53.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very 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	No Rating
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

6,654 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	24 km	14 km
Jul 8, 2021	Antelope Valley, CA	M6.0	15 km	7 km
Oct 24, 1990	3 km NE of Mono City, California	M5.8	72 km	11 km
May 15, 1999	9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California	M5.5	137 km	3 km
Sep 18, 2004	27 km NW of Benton, California	M5.4	100 km	3 km
Sep 18, 2004	27 km NW of Benton, California	M5.4	100 km	0 km
Apr 11, 2020	30km SE of Bodie, CA	M5.2	93 km	8 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	23 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	105 km	3 km
Feb 13, 2013	39 km N of Dyer, Nevada	M5.1	144 km	8 km
Jul 8, 2021	32km SE of Markleeville, CA	M5.0	14 km	7 km
Jun 30, 2020	29 km SSE of Mina, Nevada	M5.0	145 km	8 km
May 15, 2020	28 km SSE of Mina, Nevada	M4.9	145 km	4 km
Jul 15, 1998	8 km W of Aspen Springs, California	M4.9	134 km	4 km
Jun 9, 1998	8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California	M4.9	132 km	5 km
Nov 30, 1997	2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	122 km	5 km
Nov 22, 1997	3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	122 km	5 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	15 km	4 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	86 km	1 km
Oct 1, 2011	7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada	M4.8	70 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 5, 2015	EF1	79 km	1.5 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF1	48 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	60 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	62 km	2.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2005	EF0	67 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1997	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 9, 1997	EF0	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1995	EF0	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 1989	EF0	41 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 15, 1972	EF0	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 1, 1972	EF0	89 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF0	93 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 (82 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	82 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	102 km
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	113 km
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	119 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2013	RIM	257,084	90 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	69 km
2014	KING	99,070	96 km
2021	TAMARACK	70,171	20 km
1996	ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON)	58,161	85 km
1987	PAPER	49,296	97 km
2018	DONNELL	36,151	40 km
1985	GOOSEBERRY	29,290	96 km
2020	SLINK	26,437	14 km
2013	BISON	23,611	33 km
2002	CANNON	23,605	19 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	84 km
2020	NUMBERS	18,998	26 km
2015	WASHINGTON	18,485	17 km
1992	GULCH	18,019	99 km
1996	ROGGE	17,559	98 km
2004	POWER	17,266	69 km
1984	INDIAN	16,990	26 km
2001	STAR	16,846	100 km
1999	UNNAMED	15,703	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
February	30°F (-1°C)	2.7 in
March	34°F (1°C)	2.2 in
April	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
May	47°F (8°C)	0.9 in
June	56°F (13°C)	0.8 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	63°F (17°C)	0.6 in
September	56°F (13°C)	0.8 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	36°F (2°C)	2.3 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	2.4 in	Coldest

Topaz has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.0") and July the driest (0.5").

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