Weather & Climate in Virginia City, NV

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

Virginia City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 34°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 11.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.4 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 6,107 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.6°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,107 ft (1,861 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density	829/sq mi
Coordinates	39.3075°N, 119.6483°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Storey County County
Nearest Airport	Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.7"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 46.4"

Wettest Month (Jan) 1.14"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.31"

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

2,992 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	54 km	14 km
Jul 8, 2021	Antelope Valley, CA	M6.0	90 km	7 km
Oct 24, 1990	3 km NE of Mono City, California	M5.8	146 km	11 km
Aug 10, 2001	3 km N of Blairsden, California	M5.2	100 km	5 km
Apr 26, 2008	1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada	M5.1	35 km	3 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	59 km	-1 km
Jul 8, 2021	32km SE of Markleeville, CA	M5.0	89 km	7 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	65 km	4 km
Oct 1, 2011	7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada	M4.8	89 km	4 km
Feb 10, 1993	28 km SW of Empire, Nevada	M4.8	125 km	5 km
Oct 30, 1998	4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	34 km	1 km
Apr 26, 2008	0 km N of Mogul, Nevada	M4.8	34 km	3 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	66 km	-1 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	38 km	-2 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	64 km	-1 km
Apr 26, 2008	27km SE of Smith Valley, NV	M4.7	89 km	4 km
Mar 9, 2007	13 km SE of Walker, California	M4.7	101 km	7 km
May 7, 2021	19km NW of Truckee, CA	M4.7	60 km	10 km
Jul 8, 2021	29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA	M4.6	93 km	2 km
Dec 12, 1996	4 km SSW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.6	72 km	-2 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 14, 2020	EF1	63 km	0.4 mi	0
Nov 3, 1973	EF1	94 km	25.9 mi	0
Jul 16, 1973	EF1	34 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1964	EF1	52 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 2017	EF0	41 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 13, 2017	EF0	31 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 2015	EF0	78 km	3.2 mi	0
Jul 8, 2015	EF0	52 km	2.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2005	EF0	12 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 2004	EF0	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 2003	EF0	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 2002	EF0	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 10, 2000	EF0	29 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1999	EF0	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 30, 1998	EF0	40 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1998	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1997	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (71 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Soda Lakes	Maar(s)	1,251 m (4,104 ft)	Unknown	71 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	155 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	176 km
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	194 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	85 km
2021	SUGAR	108,368	85 km
2014	KING	99,070	88 km
2017	TRUCKEE	98,411	65 km
2017	LONG VALLEY	80,456	80 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	95 km
2021	TAMARACK	70,171	67 km
2018	PERRY	53,734	57 km
1994	COTTONWOOD	47,912	57 km
1999	FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS)	47,030	82 km
2020	LOYALTON	45,484	60 km
2016	TULE	35,341	77 km
2017	EARTHSTONE	35,305	34 km
2020	NORTH	34,120	67 km
1985	GOOSEBERRY	29,290	31 km
2013	AMERICAN	27,938	83 km
2020	SLINK	26,437	88 km
2013	BISON	23,611	44 km
2002	CANNON	23,605	94 km
2001	FISH	21,860	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	1.1 in	Wettest
February	37°F (3°C)	1.1 in
March	41°F (5°C)	0.8 in
April	47°F (8°C)	0.4 in
May	55°F (13°C)	0.6 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.4 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
October	52°F (11°C)	0.5 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	33°F (1°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Virginia City has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 33°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.1") and July the driest (0.3").

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