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Weather & Climate in California, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
California enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 98 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 58.9°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Area | 12.9 sq mi (33.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,027/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2976°N, 76.4921°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | St. Mary's County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Mary's County Regional (LTW) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 42.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 138 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 133 km | 7 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 148 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 132 km | 3 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 103 km | 19 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 102 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 112 km | — |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2012 | 12 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 137 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 249 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 287 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 132 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 207 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 170 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 263 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 264 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 249 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 151 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 174 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 330 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 66 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 71 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 22 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 82 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 80 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 74 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 26, 1978 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 62 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 39 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 76 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 44 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 38 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 39 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 42 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 47 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 46 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 40 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 40 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 40 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 47 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 47 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 45 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 46 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 45 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 38 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 39 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 36 km |
| 2009 | BECKERS ISLAND | 1,398 | 40 km |
| 2022 | ELLIOTTS ISLAND | 1,324 | 48 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,260 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.2 in |
California has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (3.2").