Weather & Climate in Berkeley, CA

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

Berkeley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 318 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 35.6 inches. The area receives 1.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 26 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	56.7°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	318 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Area	17.7 sq mi (45.8 km²)
Population Density	11,527/sq mi
Coordinates	37.8657°N, 122.2987°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport	Metro Oakland International (OAK) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.6"

6% below US avg

Snowfall 1.4"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.02"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.5 / 100
Community Resilience	97.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

5,086 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	39 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	118 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	115 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	144 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	120 km	7 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	58 km	9 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	118 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	125 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	118 km	6 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	99 km	7 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	115 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	76 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	119 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	82 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	116 km	1 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	112 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	34 km	8 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	114 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	115 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	115 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	60 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 1, 1958	EF2	75 km	15.0 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	57 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	94 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 18, 2011	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	47 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	26 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	74 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 23, 1996	EF1	70 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	85 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	79 km	7.5 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	89 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 27, 1983	EF1	74 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	57 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 10, 1964	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	28 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 8, 2022	EF0	100 km	0.8 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

5 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	25 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	99 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	-	41 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	-	26 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	-	-	82 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (130 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	130 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	82 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	84 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	92 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	80 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	99 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	79 km
2017	NUNS	56,883	57 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	56 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	99 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	85 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	65 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	78 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	78 km
1995	VISION	11,931	53 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	87 km
2015	WRAGG	8,455	71 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	88 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	92 km
2014	MONTICELLO	6,984	77 km
1984	SITE 300 3	6,911	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	5.1 in
March	53°F (12°C)	4.2 in
April	56°F (14°C)	1.7 in
May	60°F (16°C)	0.6 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.2 in
July	63°F (17°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	67°F (20°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	1.5 in
November	55°F (13°C)	4.1 in
December	49°F (9°C)	4.4 in	Coldest

Berkeley has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 49°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.1").

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