Weather & Climate in Cowan, CA

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

Cowan enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 330 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 12.3 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 77 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	63.1°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	77 ft (23 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	3,550/sq mi
Coordinates	37.5601°N, 120.9888°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Merced County County
Nearest Airport	Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.3"

68% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.24"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.7 / 100
Community Resilience	7.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,320 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	137 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	92 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	140 km	9 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	99 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	91 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	73 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	92 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	93 km	5 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	108 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	85 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	91 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	69 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	67 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	110 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	93 km	15 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	30 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	99 km	8 km
Jan 20, 2015	27 km ENE of Greenfield, California	M4.4	125 km	9 km
Apr 4, 2023	1km NNW of Tres Pinos, CA	M4.4	90 km	10 km
Apr 7, 1990	3 km SSE of North Gate, California	M4.4	94 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

75 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	94 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2023	EF1	58 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 10, 2023	EF1	62 km	0.4 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	16 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	79 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	10 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 16, 2002	EF1	49 km	1.3 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF1	89 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 12, 1996	EF1	26 km	0.6 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	54 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1995	EF1	80 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	79 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	20 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	16 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	13 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	53 km	0.1 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	99 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	98 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	116 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	134 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	90 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (173 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	173 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	175 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	179 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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	46 km
2013	RIM	257,084	98 km
2017	DETWILER	83,297	77 km
2015	BUTTE	72,894	86 km
1987	PAPER	49,296	85 km
1987	LARSON	49,250	95 km
2007	LICK	47,424	54 km
1987	HAMM	39,333	86 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	39 km
2008	TELEGRAPH	33,479	86 km
2022	OAK	19,408	99 km
1992	GULCH	18,019	82 km
1996	ROGGE	17,559	86 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	43 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	79 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	42 km
2001	DARBY	14,734	93 km
2018	WAVERLY	12,238	51 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	90 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	44 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	2.0 in
March	55°F (13°C)	2.0 in
April	60°F (16°C)	1.1 in
May	67°F (19°C)	0.2 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in
July	79°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	76°F (25°C)	0.1 in
September	72°F (22°C)	0.2 in
October	65°F (18°C)	0.7 in
November	53°F (12°C)	1.9 in
December	45°F (7°C)	1.7 in	Coldest

Cowan has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 45°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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