Weather & Climate in Fairmead, CA

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

Fairmead enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°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 10.8 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 249 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	63.3°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	249 ft (76 m)
Area	7.7 sq mi (20.0 km²)
Population Density	146/sq mi
Coordinates	37.0775°N, 120.1937°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Merced County County
Nearest Airport	Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.8"

72% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 1.97"

Driest Month (Aug) 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

6,999 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	141 km	8 km
Oct 24, 1990	3 km NE of Mono City, California	M5.8	145 km	11 km
May 15, 1999	9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California	M5.5	132 km	3 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	131 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	104 km	9 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	118 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	133 km	7 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	128 km	11 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	113 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	128 km	5 km
Jun 9, 1998	8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California	M4.9	136 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1998	8 km W of Aspen Springs, California	M4.9	134 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	104 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	125 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	131 km	6 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	131 km	8 km
Nov 30, 1997	2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	127 km	5 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	125 km	10 km
Nov 22, 1997	3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California	M4.9	127 km	5 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	128 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 5, 2020	EF2	81 km	12.0 mi	0
Apr 5, 1980	EF2	90 km	15.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1962	EF2	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	96 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2023	EF1	99 km	0.8 mi	0
Sep 5, 2020	EF1	90 km	1.1 mi	0
Jan 17, 2019	EF1	62 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	74 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 16, 2002	EF1	40 km	1.3 mi	0
May 20, 2002	EF1	18 km	2.7 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF1	34 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 12, 1996	EF1	96 km	0.6 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	36 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	86 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 14, 1995	EF1	8 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 8, 1986	EF1	76 km	4.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1982	EF1	76 km	5.0 mi	0
Feb 19, 1980	EF1	54 km	1.7 mi	0
Mar 14, 1979	EF1	71 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	150 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	123 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (120 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Mammoth Mountain	Lava dome(s)	3,369 m (11,053 ft)	1260	120 km
Mono-Inyo Craters	Lava dome(s)	2,796 m (9,173 ft)	1380	131 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	145 km
Golden Trout Creek	Volcanic field	2,886 m (9,469 ft)	-5550	185 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CREEK (381,441 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	CREEK	381,441	91 km
2013	RIM	257,084	95 km
2018	FERGUSON	97,307	71 km
2017	DETWILER	83,297	53 km
1996	ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON)	58,161	99 km
1987	PAPER	49,296	94 km
1987	LARSON	49,250	76 km
1987	HAMM	39,333	81 km
2008	TELEGRAPH	33,479	61 km
2013	ASPEN	23,564	86 km
1985	LOSGATOSIV	20,357	85 km
2022	OAK	19,408	59 km
1990	A-ROCK	17,706	78 km
1996	ROGGE	17,559	92 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	95 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	61 km
1996	PANOCHE II	14,760	68 km
2014	FRENCH	14,534	78 km
2017	RAILROAD	12,765	65 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	2.0 in
March	54°F (12°C)	1.9 in
April	59°F (15°C)	1.0 in
May	67°F (19°C)	0.3 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	76°F (24°C)	0.0 in
September	72°F (22°C)	0.2 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	52°F (11°C)	1.6 in
December	44°F (7°C)	1.5 in	Coldest

Fairmead has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 44°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.0") and July the driest (0.0").

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