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Weather & Climate in East Palo Alto, CA

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

East Palo Alto enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 68°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 15.1 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 11 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation11 ft (3 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density11,519/sq mi
Coordinates37.4678°N, 122.1326°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Mateo County County
Nearest AirportNorman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 3.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability20.5 / 100
Community Resilience97.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Tsunami Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,079 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 85 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 73 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 69 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 99 km 9 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 78 km 7 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 73 km 6 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 79 km 5 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 104 km 9 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 73 km 7 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 127 km 7 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 145 km 7 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 38 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 74 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 44 km 9 km
Aug 27, 2011 21 km NE of Soledad, California M4.6 130 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 67 km 15 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 69 km 8 km
Sep 19, 2023 15 km SW of Westley, CA M4.5 74 km 4 km
Jan 12, 2011 9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California M4.5 96 km 8 km
Aug 3, 2006 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California M4.5 107 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 14 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 11, 1985 EF2 95 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 11 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 47 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 59 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 32 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 20, 2001 EF1 64 km 0.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 10 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 99 km 1.0 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 22 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1965 EF1 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 26 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 57 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 58 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 6, 2016 EF0 89 km 0.6 mi 0
Dec 22, 2012 EF0 71 km 1.1 mi 0
Apr 11, 2012 EF0 84 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 7, 2011 EF0 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 14, 2007 EF0 70 km 0.2 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 26 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 53 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m — 15 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m — 41 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 36 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (176 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 176 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 56 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 37 km
2007 LICK 47,424 68 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 71 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 83 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 62 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 59 km
1995 VISION 11,931 91 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 41 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 44 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 71 km
1984 SITE 300 3 6,911 62 km
2005 TESLA 6,638 54 km
2003 DEL PUERTO 6,441 65 km
2006 MIDWAY 6,243 58 km
2020 CREWS 5,802 78 km
2003 DEVIL 4,975 50 km
2020 WOODWARD 4,952 87 km
2003 JUMP 4,817 55 km
2016 LOMA 4,380 48 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 3.4 in Coldest, Wettest
February 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
March 55°F (13°C) 2.8 in
April 58°F (14°C) 1.3 in
May 62°F (16°C) 0.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.2 in
October 62°F (17°C) 1.0 in
November 55°F (13°C) 2.6 in
December 50°F (10°C) 2.6 in

East Palo Alto has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 48°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (0.0").

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