Weather & Climate in Empire, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Empire 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. Annual precipitation totals 12.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 46% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 108 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) |
Geography
| Elevation | 108 ft (33 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,305/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.6431°N, 120.9070°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Merced County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 45.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 35 |
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
4,311 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 | 139 km | 11 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 5 km NNW of Aromas, California | M5.4 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 103 km | 7 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 85 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km NNW of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Apr 19, 1996 | 2 km E of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 119 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 97 km | 7 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 79 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km N of Aromas, California | M4.7 | 103 km | 4 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 77 km | 9 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Mar 24, 1991 | 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California | M4.6 | 105 km | 15 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 15 km SW of Westley, CA | M4.5 | 41 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2011 | 9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California | M4.5 | 110 km | 8 km |
| Jan 20, 2015 | 27 km ENE of Greenfield, California | M4.4 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Apr 4, 2023 | 1km NNW of Tres Pinos, CA | M4.4 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Apr 28, 1990 | 3 km SSE of North Gate, California | M4.4 | 97 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
71 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 11, 1985 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 8 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 15 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 2010 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 8 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 49 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 94 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 53 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1980 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 7 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 25 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 4 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 22 km | 2.0 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 | 105 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 110 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | - | 124 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 140 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 101 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (165 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 165 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 166 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 170 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 | 55 km |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 88 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 97 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 70 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 75 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 75 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 86 km |
| 2007 | LICK | 47,424 | 66 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 76 km |
| 2006 | CANYON | 36,851 | 50 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 79 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 92 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 71 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 99 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 75 km |
| 2003 | ANNIE | 17,383 | 55 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 87 km |
| 2024 | CORRAL | 16,138 | 49 km |
| 2001 | DARBY | 14,734 | 81 km |
| 2018 | WAVERLY | 12,238 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
Empire has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 47°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (0.0").