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Weather & Climate in Brookdale, CA

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

Brookdale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 305 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 49.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 550 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average60.5°F
12% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation550 ft (168 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density340/sq mi
Coordinates37.1057°N, 122.1106°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySanta Cruz County County
Nearest AirportNorman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC)
20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.6"
31% above US avg
Snowfall 0.1"
Wettest Month (Jan) 6.89"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score97.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability28.1 / 100
Community Resilience71.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

4,129 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014 The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake M6.0 125 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 45 km 5 km
Oct 21, 2012 24 km NE of San Lucas, California M5.3 143 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 41 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 70 km 9 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 58 km 7 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 48 km 7 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 51 km 5 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 144 km 9 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 98 km 7 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 45 km 6 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 45 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 46 km 4 km
Feb 4, 1991 33 km SE of Big Sur, California M4.7 129 km 9 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 45 km 9 km
Aug 27, 2011 21 km NE of Soledad, California M4.6 101 km 8 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 103 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 38 km 15 km
Sep 19, 2023 15 km SW of Westley, CA M4.5 81 km 4 km
Aug 3, 2006 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California M4.5 146 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 10 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 30 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 11, 1985 EF2 69 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 29 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 9 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 95 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 66 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 20, 2001 EF1 33 km 0.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 31 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 60 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 64 km 7.0 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 46 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 1, 1965 EF1 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 61 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 17 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 19 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 6, 2016 EF0 67 km 0.6 mi 0
Dec 22, 2012 EF0 35 km 1.1 mi 0
Apr 14, 2007 EF0 47 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 26, 2005 EF0 94 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 5, 1998 EF0 16 km 1.0 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 66 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 22 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m — 47 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m — 75 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 21 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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 69 km
2016 SOBERANES 131,921 94 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 10 km
2020 RIVER 51,582 84 km
2007 LICK 47,424 62 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 73 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 78 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 82 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 77 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 18 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 10 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 85 km
2020 CARMEL 7,299 86 km
1984 SITE 300 3 6,911 83 km
2005 TESLA 6,638 78 km
2003 DEL PUERTO 6,441 72 km
2006 MIDWAY 6,243 82 km
2020 CREWS 5,802 59 km
2003 DEVIL 4,975 64 km
2003 JUMP 4,817 61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 51°F (11°C) 6.9 in Wettest
February 51°F (10°C) 5.7 in
March 52°F (11°C) 5.2 in
April 55°F (13°C) 2.2 in
May 58°F (15°C) 0.5 in
June 62°F (17°C) 0.2 in
July 70°F (21°C) 0.1 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
September 64°F (18°C) 0.4 in
October 61°F (16°C) 1.6 in
November 53°F (12°C) 4.7 in
December 49°F (9°C) 5.1 in Coldest

Brookdale has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 49°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.9") and July the driest (0.1").

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