Weather & Climate in Atwater, CA

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

Atwater enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°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 12.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 164 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.6°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	164 ft (50 m)
Area	6.1 sq mi (15.8 km²)
Population Density	4,873/sq mi
Coordinates	37.3540°N, 120.5972°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Merced County County
Nearest Airport	Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.5"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.48"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.7 / 100
Community Resilience	7.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,823 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.

Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	105 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	118 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	106 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	102 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	85 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	105 km	6 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	99 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	104 km	5 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	99 km	7 km
Nov 30, 1997	2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	149 km	5 km
Nov 22, 1997	3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	150 km	5 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	99 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	104 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	96 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	100 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	109 km	15 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	62 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	103 km	8 km
Nov 22, 1997	California-Nevada border region	M4.5	149 km	6 km
Jan 20, 2015	27 km ENE of Greenfield, California	M4.4	108 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

77 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 22, 1962	EF2	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2023	EF1	64 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 10, 2023	EF1	82 km	0.4 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	27 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	48 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 16, 2002	EF1	7 km	1.3 mi	0
May 20, 2002	EF1	63 km	2.7 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF1	55 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 12, 1996	EF1	51 km	0.6 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	13 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1995	EF1	39 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	24 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	37 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	46 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	31 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF1	63 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1868	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	4.5 m	30	138 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	119 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	117 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (142 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	142 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	147 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	156 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (405,787 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX	405,787	81 km
2013	RIM	257,084	84 km
2018	FERGUSON	97,307	76 km
2017	DETWILER	83,297	47 km
1996	ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON)	58,161	93 km
1987	PAPER	49,296	75 km
1987	LARSON	49,250	72 km
2007	LICK	47,424	75 km
1987	HAMM	39,333	68 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	66 km
2008	TELEGRAPH	33,479	59 km
2022	OAK	19,408	68 km
1992	GULCH	18,019	93 km
1990	A-ROCK	17,706	81 km
1996	ROGGE	17,559	74 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	59 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	58 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	82 km
1996	PANOCHE II	14,760	87 km
2001	DARBY	14,734	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	2.4 in
March	55°F (13°C)	2.3 in
April	60°F (15°C)	1.1 in
May	66°F (19°C)	0.3 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in
July	78°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	76°F (24°C)	0.0 in
September	72°F (22°C)	0.2 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.8 in
November	53°F (11°C)	1.9 in
December	44°F (7°C)	1.8 in	Coldest

Atwater has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 44°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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