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Weather & Climate in El Cerrito, CA

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

El Cerrito enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°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 26.1 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 197 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation197 ft (60 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²)
Population Density1,395/sq mi
Coordinates37.9196°N, 122.3025°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Mateo County County
Nearest AirportMetro Oakland International (OAK)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.1"
31% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 6.02"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

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

5,043 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 33 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 124 km 5 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 149 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 120 km 7 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 125 km 7 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 123 km 7 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 52 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 124 km 6 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 130 km 5 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 93 km 7 km
May 12, 2006 7 km W of Cobb, California M4.7 109 km 4 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 81 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 125 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 87 km 9 km
Jan 2, 2025 4 km NW of Cobb, CA M4.7 110 km 1 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 34 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 118 km 15 km
Jan 11, 2000 6 km N of Geyserville, California M4.6 109 km 6 km
Feb 18, 2004 4 km WNW of Cobb, California M4.6 110 km 3 km
Jan 12, 2014 8 km W of Cobb, California M4.5 109 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 66 km 0.6 mi 0
Jun 1, 1958 EF2 72 km 15.0 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 63 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 100 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 18, 2011 EF1 69 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 47 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 32 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 5, 1998 EF1 69 km 1.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 62 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 23, 1996 EF1 66 km 6.0 mi 0
Feb 22, 1996 EF1 79 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 71 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 75 km 7.5 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 83 km 3.0 mi 0
Feb 27, 1983 EF1 69 km 0.8 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 61 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 10, 1964 EF1 81 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 34 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 8, 2022 EF0 97 km 0.8 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 30 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 105 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m — 47 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m — 30 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 88 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (124 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 124 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 85 km
2020 HENNESSEY 314,241 78 km
2018 COUNTY 92,450 86 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 86 km
2019 KINCADE 77,780 93 km
2020 GLASS 68,020 74 km
2017 NUNS 56,883 51 km
2020 WALLBRIDGE 55,194 99 km
2017 ATLAS 51,664 50 km
2004 RUMSEY 39,335 93 km
1999 SIXTEEN 37,162 98 km
2017 TUBBS 36,981 79 km
1988 MILLER 35,750 60 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 81 km
2006 ZAM ASSIST 14,404 99 km
2004 GEYSERS 12,075 98 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 80 km
1995 VISION 11,931 51 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 93 km
2015 WRAGG 8,455 66 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 51°F (11°C) 6.0 in Wettest
February 51°F (11°C) 5.1 in
March 53°F (12°C) 4.2 in
April 56°F (14°C) 1.7 in
May 60°F (16°C) 0.6 in
June 64°F (18°C) 0.2 in
July 64°F (18°C) 0.1 in Driest
August 67°F (20°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.4 in
October 63°F (17°C) 1.5 in
November 55°F (13°C) 4.1 in
December 49°F (9°C) 4.4 in Coldest

El Cerrito has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 49°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.1").

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