Weather & Climate in Gilroy, CA

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

Gilroy enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 71°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 19.8 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 213 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	60.2°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	49°F (10°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	213 ft (65 m)
Area	16.2 sq mi (41.8 km²)
Population Density	3,541/sq mi
Coordinates	37.0064°N, 121.5853°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Clara County County
Nearest Airport	Norman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.8"

48% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 4.25"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.2 / 100
Community Resilience	72.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,726 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	149 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	10 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	101 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	135 km	9 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	30 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	10 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	11 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	11 km	6 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	57 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	14 km	5 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	5 km	7 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	147 km	10 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	108 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	10 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	41 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	35 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	59 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	13 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	140 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	54 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

53 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	56 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	24 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	62 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	40 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	90 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	88 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	18 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF1	99 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	52 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	59 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	59 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	96 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	80 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	94 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	88 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

6 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	90 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	27 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	84 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	112 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	148 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	35 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	88 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	77 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	58 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	99 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	58 km
2007	LICK	47,424	28 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	45 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	81 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	39 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	70 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	71 km
1996	PANOCHE II	14,760	98 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	64 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	66 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	33 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	56 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	65 km
1985	PONOCHE 2	7,508	79 km
2020	CARMEL	7,299	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (10°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	3.4 in
March	53°F (12°C)	3.3 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.6 in
May	61°F (16°C)	0.3 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in
July	71°F (21°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	69°F (20°C)	0.3 in
October	64°F (18°C)	1.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in
December	48°F (9°C)	3.3 in	Coldest

Gilroy has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 48°F in December to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 20.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.3") and July the driest (0.1").

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