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Weather & Climate in Cambria, CA

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

Cambria enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 53°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 29.3 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 316 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average59.9°F
11% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation316 ft (96 m)
Area8.5 sq mi (22.0 km²)
Population Density717/sq mi
Coordinates35.5521°N, 121.0841°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Luis Obispo County County
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP)
37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.3"
23% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 4.53"
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

3,972 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake M6.0 71 km 8 km
Oct 21, 2012 24 km NE of San Lucas, California M5.3 87 km 9 km
Sep 17, 1991 22 km NW of San Simeon, California M5.2 37 km 9 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 138 km 9 km
Sep 29, 2004 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M5.0 69 km 11 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 117 km 7 km
Dec 20, 1994 3 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 69 km 8 km
Sep 30, 2004 13 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 69 km 10 km
Nov 14, 1993 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.8 69 km 11 km
Sep 28, 2004 12 km SE of Parkfield, California M4.7 72 km 6 km
Feb 4, 1991 33 km SE of Big Sur, California M4.7 69 km 9 km
Aug 27, 2011 21 km NE of Soledad, California M4.6 115 km 8 km
Mar 17, 2004 9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California M4.5 20 km 4 km
Jan 12, 2011 9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California M4.5 141 km 8 km
May 16, 2005 5 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.5 69 km 9 km
Aug 6, 2012 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.5 69 km 11 km
Jan 20, 2015 27 km ENE of Greenfield, California M4.4 99 km 9 km
Apr 4, 2023 1km NNW of Tres Pinos, CA M4.4 141 km 10 km
Sep 11, 1990 14 km S of Tres Pinos, California M4.4 125 km 8 km
Jun 20, 2009 11 km SW of Lake Nacimiento, California M4.4 16 km 6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024 EF1 64 km 0.7 mi 0
Feb 7, 2024 EF1 37 km 4.9 mi 0
Apr 22, 2016 EF0 86 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 2, 2004 EF0 65 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 29, 2001 EF0 90 km 0.1 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF0 48 km 0.3 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1927 S. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m 87 km
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 52 km
1901 MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 73 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BASIN COMPLEX (164,537 acres, 2008).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2008 BASIN COMPLEX 164,537 86 km
2020 DOLAN 124,382 68 km
1996 FIFTY-EIGHT 94,704 76 km
1985 LAS PILITAS 75,841 60 km
2008 BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS) 59,095 70 km
1985 GORDA-RAT 52,474 67 km
1994 41 48,441 41 km
2017 GARZA 48,404 84 km
2016 CHIMNEY 46,950 21 km
1999 KIRK COMPLEX (HARE) 43,054 66 km
1985 CHERRY 41,654 58 km
2005 UNNAMED 39,070 44 km
1999 KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE) 36,162 94 km
2020 MINERAL 29,901 83 km
2017 ALAMO 29,256 98 km
1996 WILD 24,439 53 km
1984 UNNAMED 23,122 44 km
1993 ORCHARD 22,309 94 km
1996 UNNAMED 19,243 46 km
2024 BOONE 17,701 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 53°F (12°C) 4.5 in Wettest
February 52°F (11°C) 4.3 in
March 52°F (11°C) 4.0 in
April 54°F (12°C) 1.5 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 (13°C) 2.4 in
December 51°F (11°C) 3.4 in Coldest

Cambria has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 51°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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