Weather & Climate in California Polytechnic State University, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
California Polytechnic State University enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49. 53% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 342 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (12°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 59.7°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 342 ft (104 m) |
| Area | 1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,889/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3070°N, 120.6673°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Luis Obispo County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 49.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 52.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 10 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,943 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 63 km | 8 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 144 km | 12 km |
| Sep 17, 1991 | 22 km NW of San Simeon, California | M5.2 | 82 km | 9 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 143 km | 21 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 73 km | 11 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 70 km | 8 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 77 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 6km SSW of Wasco, CA | M4.9 | 120 km | 22 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 73 km | 11 km |
| May 29, 2013 | 6km W of Isla Vista, CA | M4.8 | 121 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 12 km SE of Parkfield, California | M4.7 | 62 km | 6 km |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 33 km SE of Big Sur, California | M4.7 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 25 km SW of Lamont, CA | M4.6 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2005 | 20km ESE of Maricopa, CA | M4.6 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California | M4.5 | 60 km | 4 km |
| May 16, 2005 | 5 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 71 km | 9 km |
| Aug 6, 2012 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 73 km | 11 km |
| Aug 8, 2024 | 22 km NW of Grapevine, CA | M4.4 | 147 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 13 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2015 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2006 | EF0 | 78 km | - | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2004 | EF0 | 23 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2001 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1998 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1991 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.4 m (11 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1812 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.4 m | 1 | 142 km |
| 1927 | S. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | - | 56 km |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 15 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 79 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FIFTY-EIGHT (94,704 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | FIFTY-EIGHT | 94,704 | 34 km |
| 2009 | LA BREA | 84,213 | 71 km |
| 1985 | LAS PILITAS | 75,841 | 15 km |
| 1997 | LOGAN | 49,627 | 56 km |
| 1994 | 41 | 48,441 | 10 km |
| 2017 | GARZA | 48,404 | 80 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY | 46,950 | 61 km |
| 1993 | MARRE | 44,309 | 92 km |
| 1985 | CHERRY | 41,654 | 96 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 39,070 | 86 km |
| 2020 | MINERAL | 29,901 | 96 km |
| 2017 | ALAMO | 29,256 | 52 km |
| 1996 | WILD | 24,439 | 98 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 23,122 | 86 km |
| 1993 | ORCHARD | 22,309 | 72 km |
| 1996 | SKYLINE | 21,694 | 96 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 19,243 | 87 km |
| 2024 | BOONE | 17,701 | 97 km |
| 1999 | SPANISH | 14,518 | 70 km |
| 2024 | HURRICANE | 13,488 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 58°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 53°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
California Polytechnic State University has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 53°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.9") and August the driest (0.0").