Weather & Climate in Willits, CA

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

Willits experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 293 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 49.2 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 1,371 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (6°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	53.1°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	44°F (6°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,371 ft (418 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density	1,747/sq mi
Coordinates	39.4050°N, 123.3489°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Mendocino County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 82 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.2"

30% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 10.08"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	76.8 / 100
Community Resilience	39.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5,559 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	M7.2	128 km	10 km
Apr 26, 1992	32 km SW of Ferndale, California	M6.6	150 km	22 km
Aug 17, 1991	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	M6.0	124 km	8 km
Jan 28, 2015	40 km SW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	148 km	17 km
Jan 22, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.6	131 km	23 km
Jun 23, 2019	6km SSW of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	126 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1990	30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.4	123 km	4 km
Jan 1, 2023	15km SE of Rio Dell, CA	M5.4	124 km	31 km
Mar 8, 1992	27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.3	121 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	15km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.2	141 km	29 km
Jan 26, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.2	132 km	22 km
Jul 18, 2021	12km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.1	137 km	31 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	48 km	14 km
Jul 19, 2006	35 km SSW of Ferndale, California	M5.0	134 km	20 km
Aug 7, 2009	43 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	149 km	16 km
Jun 19, 1994	29 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	142 km	19 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	140 km	9 km
Jun 5, 1992	31 km SSW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	135 km	20 km
Dec 26, 1999	34 km SW of Scotia, California	M4.8	132 km	23 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	96 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 2011	EF1	100 km	26.4 mi	0
Jan 27, 2005	EF1	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	41 km	1.7 mi	0
Feb 17, 1959	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Feb 19, 2013	EF0	96 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 21, 2011	EF0	97 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 8, 2010	EF0	77 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 2000	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 14, 1987	EF0	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 11, 1983	EF0	30 km	2.0 mi	0
Feb 3, 1958	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1992	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	135 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (70 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	70 km
Lassen Volcanic Center	Stratovolcano	3,187 m (10,456 ft)	1917	198 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	AUGUST COMPLEX	1,068,802	66 km
2018	RANCH	427,048	52 km
2015	ROCKY	96,125	95 km
2008	YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON)	94,888	83 km
1996	FORK	83,209	57 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	95 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	94 km
2020	WALLBRIDGE	55,194	92 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	31 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	48 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	60 km
2017	REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT	36,545	14 km
2012	MILL	29,924	63 km
2001	TROUGH	25,270	55 km
2017	POCKET	18,691	81 km
1987	FOUTS	16,892	50 km
2006	HUNTER	16,757	46 km
2017	BUCK	13,612	94 km
2008	WALKER	12,441	84 km
2014	LODGE COMPLEX	12,299	49 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (6°C)	10.1 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	46°F (8°C)	7.7 in
March	48°F (9°C)	7.3 in
April	50°F (10°C)	3.4 in
May	55°F (13°C)	1.2 in
June	60°F (16°C)	0.3 in
July	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.4 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.9 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.2 in
November	48°F (9°C)	8.2 in
December	44°F (7°C)	9.3 in

Willits has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 44°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (10.1") and July the driest (0.1").

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