Weather & Climate in Capitola, CA

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

Capitola enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 317 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 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 47 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	58.7°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	52°F (11°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	317 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	47 ft (14 m)
Area	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density	6,172/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9761°N, 121.9540°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Benito County County
Nearest Airport	Norman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.6"

19% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 5.83"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,279 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	141 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	27 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	123 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	141 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	24 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	50 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	44 km	7 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	79 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	32 km	5 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	32 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	27 km	6 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	28 km	4 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	110 km	9 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	47 km	8 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	82 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	20 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	122 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	78 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	47 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	44 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	46 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	11 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	86 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	16 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	47 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	42 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	48 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	6 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	51 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 22, 2012	EF0	15 km	1.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2007	EF0	32 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 26, 2005	EF0	98 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF0	6 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	82 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	9 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	66 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	94 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	25 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	70 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	91 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	76 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	30 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	64 km
2007	LICK	47,424	54 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	69 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	83 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	69 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	85 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	94 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	80 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	19 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	26 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	84 km
2020	CARMEL	7,299	67 km
1984	SITE 300 3	6,911	86 km
2009	GLORIA	6,686	82 km
2005	TESLA	6,638	84 km
2003	DEL PUERTO	6,441	70 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	52°F (11°C)	5.8 in	Wettest
February	52°F (11°C)	5.0 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.3 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.8 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.5 in
June	62°F (16°C)	0.2 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
November	54°F (12°C)	3.8 in
December	50°F (10°C)	4.0 in	Coldest

Capitola has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 50°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.8") and July the driest (0.1").

View full profile of Capitola, CA →