Modoc County Climate
Modoc County, California
Avg Annual Temp
48.4°F
Annual Precip
14.6"
Annual Snowfall
51.3"
Extreme Heat Days
30.128571428571423
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Modoc County Weather
A Chilly High-Desert Climate
Modoc County’s annual average temperature of 48.4°F is significantly cooler than the national median. This high-altitude region experiences a semi-arid climate that stays much crisper than the typical California image.
Far Below the State Average
With a yearly average over 10 degrees lower than California's 58.7°F mark, Modoc ranks among the state's coldest counties. It is also significantly drier, receiving only 14.6 inches of precipitation compared to the 25.8-inch state average.
The Dry Side of the North
While sharing a similar temperature with nearby Plumas County (48.4°F), Modoc is much more arid. It receives less than half the annual precipitation of its western and southern neighbors, making it a distinct desert-mountain hybrid.
Snowy Winters and Sharp Summers
Residents face 51.3 inches of annual snowfall as winter temperatures average 33.0°F. Summers are brief but intense, featuring 30 days where temperatures climb to or exceed 90°F.
Prepare for Wide Temperature Swings
Winterizing pipes is a necessity here given the consistent sub-freezing January average of 32.4°F. High-altitude sun protection is also essential for the month-long stretch of extreme summer heat days.
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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.