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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 61°F (16°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 326 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 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 342 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average60.6°F
12% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation342 ft (104 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density4,889/sq mi
Coordinates35.3070°N, 120.6673°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Luis Obispo County County
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP)
8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"
41% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.08"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score95.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability32.8 / 100
Community Resilience93.9 / 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 54°F (12°C) 5.1 in Wettest
February 53°F (12°C) 4.9 in
March 54°F (12°C) 4.3 in
April 55°F (13°C) 1.3 in
May 57°F (14°C) 0.4 in
June 60°F (16°C) 0.1 in
July 66°F (19°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 64°F (18°C) 0.1 in
September 63°F (17°C) 0.4 in
October 61°F (16°C) 0.9 in
November 56°F (14°C) 2.4 in
December 52°F (11°C) 3.6 in Coldest

California Polytechnic State University has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 52°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.1") and July the driest (0.0").

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