Fort Jones is one of those places that feels like a secret, tucked away in the Scott Valley of Siskiyou County. If you’re looking at fort jones ca weather, you’re probably either planning a trip through the Marble Mountains or you’re considering moving to a place where the air actually smells like pine instead of exhaust.
It's beautiful. But honestly? The weather here can be a bit of a moody teenager. One minute it's a postcard-perfect spring day, and the next, you’re wondering if you should have invested in a heavier snow shovel.
The town sits at an elevation of about 2,700 feet. That height matters. It means the "California weather" people talk about on the coast doesn't really apply here. We get real seasons.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Climate
Most folks assume Northern California is just rain and fog. That’s the coast. In Fort Jones, we have a "Warm-Summer Mediterranean" climate (specifically Csb on the Köppen scale).
What does that actually mean for your Saturday plans?
It means summers are bone-dry. Between July and August, you might see less than half an inch of rain total. The sun is intense, but because the humidity is so low, it doesn’t feel like you’re walking through a warm soup.
The Temperature Swing is Real
You’ve got to dress in layers. Seriously.
In July, the average high hits about 91°F. That’s hot enough to make the Scott River look very inviting. But as soon as the sun dips behind the mountains, the temperature plummets. It’s not uncommon to see a 40-degree drop. You might be in shorts at 4:00 PM and reaching for a flannel by 8:00 PM.
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The record high for the area is a blistering 111°F, but that’s an outlier. Usually, it’s just comfortably crisp in the mornings and toasted by lunch.
Winter in the Scott Valley
Winter is where the fort jones ca weather gets interesting.
It’s cold. Not "Midwest blizzard" cold, but definitely "ice on the windshield" cold. January is typically the coldest month, with average lows hovering around 23°F. If you’re here in December or January, expect the mercury to stay below freezing quite often.
- Snowfall: We get about 19 to 20 inches of snow a year on average.
- Rain: December is the wettest month, averaging around 4 inches of precipitation.
- Ice: Black ice on Highway 3 is no joke—locals know to take those curves slow.
The mountains surrounding the valley—the Marbles to the west and the Eddys to the southeast—often trap the cold air. This creates a "valley sink" effect where it can actually be colder in town than it is a few hundred feet up the slopes.
Spring and Fall: The Sweet Spots
If you want the best of everything, show up in May or October.
May brings the "green-up." The valley floor turns a neon shade of emerald that doesn't look real. Daytime temperatures sit in the low 70s. It’s perfect for hiking before the summer heat makes the trails feel like an oven.
October is arguably even better. The air gets incredibly still. The cottonwoods along the river turn gold, and the highs are a perfect 70°F. Plus, the fire risk—which is a huge deal in Siskiyou County—usually starts to drop as the first autumn rains arrive.
Dealing with the Extremes
We have to talk about the "smoke season." It's the reality of living in the West now.
In late summer, even if the weather is technically 90°F and sunny, the air quality can tank if there’s a fire in the Klamath National Forest or across the border in Oregon. If you're visiting, check the AQI (Air Quality Index) along with the temperature.
On the flip side, we occasionally get massive "Atmospheric Rivers." These are basically fire hoses of moisture from the Pacific. In 2024 and early 2025, we saw these systems dump several inches of rain in just a few days, which can lead to localized flooding near the Scott River.
Quick Stats for the Curious
- Hottest Month: July (Avg 91°F)
- Coldest Month: December/January (Avg 23°F)
- Annual Rainfall: ~20.5 inches
- Annual Snowfall: ~19.5 inches
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Don't just trust the "sunny" icon on your phone.
If you are heading into the backcountry, the weather can change in twenty minutes. I’ve seen it go from clear skies to a hail storm while hiking near Lovers Leap.
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- Pack a "Valley Kit": Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for the day; a down vest or heavy hoodie for the night.
- Hydrate: The air is dry. You’ll get dehydrated faster than you think, especially if you’re coming from the coast.
- Winter Tires: If you’re coming through between November and March, have M+S rated tires or carry chains. Caltrans doesn't mess around with the mountain passes.
The most important thing to remember is that the weather here is part of the draw. It's rugged. It's predictable in its unpredictability. Whether you're watching the mist rise off the hay fields in February or sweating through a July rodeo, the climate is what keeps Fort Jones feeling like the frontier.
Before you head out, check the local NOAA station or the Caltrans QuickMap for road conditions. Those sources are much more reliable for this specific microclimate than the generic national weather apps.