Weather & Climate in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 323 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 20.4 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 207 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)

Annual Average	56.8°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	52°F (11°C)
July Average	60°F (16°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	207 ft (63 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density	3,006/sq mi
Coordinates	36.5529°N, 121.9219°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Monterey County County
Nearest Airport	Monterey Regional (MRY) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.4"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 0.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.30"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	54.8 / 100
Community Resilience	24.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,953 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.

Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	48 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	99 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	98 km	9 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	47 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	50 km	7 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	144 km	11 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	66 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	54 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	48 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	46 km	5 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	65 km	7 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	149 km	8 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	139 km	10 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	144 km	11 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	66 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	49 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	91 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	87 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	66 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	49 km	15 km

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

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	91 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	57 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	93 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	48 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	94 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	0 km	7.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	6 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	46 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	61 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	64 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 22, 2012	EF0	37 km	1.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2007	EF0	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF0	48 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 1998	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 8, 1997	EF0	87 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 11, 1992	EF0	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 3, 1987	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

6 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	129 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	54 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	111 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	138 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	142 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	72 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	49 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	32 km
2020	DOLAN	124,382	67 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	71 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	67 km
1985	GORDA-RAT	52,474	68 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	33 km
2007	LICK	47,424	87 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (HARE)	43,054	69 km
1985	CHERRY	41,654	87 km
2005	UNNAMED	39,070	93 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	40 km
1996	WILD	24,439	82 km
1984	UNNAMED	23,122	93 km
1996	UNNAMED	19,243	92 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	96 km
2008	CHALK	15,420	72 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	90 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	66 km
1984	UNNAMED	10,420	79 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	52°F (11°C)	6.3 in	Wettest
February	52°F (11°C)	5.5 in
March	53°F (11°C)	5.1 in
April	54°F (12°C)	2.4 in
May	55°F (13°C)	0.5 in
June	58°F (14°C)	0.2 in
July	60°F (16°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	60°F (16°C)	0.1 in
September	61°F (16°C)	0.4 in	Warmest
October	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
November	54°F (12°C)	4.7 in
December	51°F (10°C)	5.1 in	Coldest

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a seasonal temperature swing of 10°F / from 51°F in December to 61°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.3") and July the driest (0.1").

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