Weather

Redding experiences over 200 days of sunshine a year and enjoys all four seasons. The average annual high temperature is *75 degrees--average low is 48 degrees. Average annual precipitation totals just over 39 inches.

Spring (March - May)
Water temperatures remain cool and night-time temperatures average 45 degrees. Wildflowers are abundant throughout the region, and plentiful snow runoff makes for great white water rafting and waterfall viewing. When traveling in the mountains around Redding during this time of year, you should carry along a light wind breaker or sweater. The scenic highways and byways around Redding make an excellent road trip destination for motorcycle riders. Remember that it is generally about 15 degrees cooler year-round at about 4,500 feet than it is in the valley.

Summer (June - August)
Water temperatures begin to warm and night-time temperatures average 61 degrees. The average high temperature in Redding during the summer months is 95 degrees, but temperatures occasionally rise to the triple digits. Fun indoor activities include touring Shasta Dam and Lake Shasta Caverns (the caves remain 58 degrees year-round!), visiting the Turtle Bay Museum, and driving through Lassen Volcanic National Park, where "Spring" is only beginning to change the landscape.

Fall (September - November)
Although early September continues to offer warm afternoon temperatures, the evening temps begin to drop. The average low in September is 57 degrees, but by November the evening temperatures have dropped to a cool 40 degrees. The day-time temperatures continue to be very pleasant, however, making October the perfect off-season month for enjoying house-boating, hiking & biking adventures, outdoor events, and back-country drives. Typically, the first rains do not arrive until late October. November is a little rainy, but snow does not typically begin to fall in the mountains until December (excluding the extreme elevations of Mt. Shasta and Lassen Peak).

Winter (December - February)
Day-time highs average 57 degrees and night-time temps drop to 35 degrees. Redding has, on occasion, received a light dusting of snow; however, snowfall is typically reserved for elevations 4,000 feet and above. These elevations can be reached by car in 30 minutes to an hour, and offer skiing and snowboarding at the Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and building snowmen at Eskimo Hill. Be sure to check the local road conditions, as chains are often required. Interesting fact: The 29 mile main park road through Lassen Volcanic National Park reaches 8,512 feet, making it the highest road in the Cascade Mountains. It is not unusual for 40 feet of snow to accumulate on the road near the Lake Helen area! Because of this, the road through the park--on either side of each visitor center--is closed through Spring and sometimes into early Summer.

* Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit