Weather & Climate in Blackhawk, CA

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

Blackhawk enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. 54% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 863 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average59.9°F
11% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation863 ft (263 m)
Area5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density1,800/sq mi
Coordinates37.8096°N, 121.9132°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyContra Costa County County
Nearest AirportMetro Oakland International (OAK)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 0.7"
Wettest Month (Feb) 2.92"
Driest Month (Sep) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood
Good Days %53.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability21.5 / 100
Community Resilience67.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Very High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively High
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5,856 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 57 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 100 km 5 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 124 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 97 km 7 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 97 km 7 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 77 km 9 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 98 km 7 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 148 km 7 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 106 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 100 km 6 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 121 km 7 km
May 12, 2006 7 km W of Cobb, California M4.7 137 km 4 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 53 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 101 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 59 km 9 km
Jan 2, 2025 4 km NW of Cobb, CA M4.7 137 km 1 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 69 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 95 km 15 km
Jan 11, 2000 6 km N of Geyserville, California M4.6 138 km 6 km
Feb 18, 2004 4 km WNW of Cobb, California M4.6 136 km 3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 50 km 0.6 mi 0
Apr 27, 1953 EF2 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 52 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 85 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 18, 2011 EF1 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 17 km 1.6 mi 0
Apr 14, 2006 EF1 82 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 48 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 20, 2001 EF1 94 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 5, 1998 EF1 99 km 1.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 51 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 12, 1996 EF1 94 km 0.6 mi 0
Apr 19, 1988 EF1 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 27, 1983 EF1 99 km 0.8 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 37 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 97 km 2.5 mi 0
Mar 1, 1978 EF1 88 km 1.5 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 57 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1965 EF1 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 44 km 0.2 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 20 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 86 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m - 48 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m - 53 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 68 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (149 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 149 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 51 km
2020 HENNESSEY 314,241 96 km
2018 COUNTY 92,450 99 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 79 km
2020 GLASS 68,020 100 km
2017 NUNS 56,883 79 km
2017 ATLAS 51,664 68 km
2007 LICK 47,424 78 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 71 km
1988 MILLER 35,750 71 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 87 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 44 km
2018 WAVERLY 12,238 96 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 45 km
1995 VISION 11,931 87 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 74 km
2015 WRAGG 8,455 76 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 85 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 59 km
2014 MONTICELLO 6,984 82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 2.8 in Coldest
February 50°F (10°C) 2.9 in Wettest
March 54°F (12°C) 2.3 in
April 57°F (14°C) 1.1 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.6 in
June 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in
July 72°F (22°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 72°F (22°C) 0.1 in
September 70°F (21°C) 0.1 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.8 in
November 54°F (12°C) 1.7 in
December 48°F (9°C) 2.8 in

Blackhawk has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 48°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.2 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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