Weather & Climate in Herald, CA

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

Herald enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 76°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 18.4 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 80 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	62.2°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	80 ft (24 m)
Area	7.9 sq mi (20.5 km²)
Population Density	117/sq mi
Coordinates	38.2884°N, 121.2311°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Sacramento County County
Nearest Airport	Sacramento International (SMF) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.78"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	37.4 / 100
Community Resilience	57.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,597 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Sep 12, 1994	4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada	M6.1	149 km	14 km
Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	95 km	11 km
Sep 12, 1994	8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California	M5.1	143 km	-1 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	143 km	7 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	104 km	9 km
Dec 22, 1995	California-Nevada border region	M4.9	147 km	4 km
Dec 28, 1995	9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.8	145 km	-1 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	139 km	7 km
Jun 26, 2005	8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California	M4.8	150 km	-2 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	150 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	112 km	8 km
Dec 23, 1995	8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada	M4.7	148 km	-1 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	116 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	146 km	1 km
Jul 8, 2021	29km ENE of Dardanelle, CA	M4.6	149 km	2 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	134 km	8 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	147 km	3 km
Jul 9, 2021	30km SE of Markleeville, CA	M4.6	150 km	4 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	95 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	150 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

78 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	50 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2023	EF1	73 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 10, 2023	EF1	47 km	0.4 mi	0
Dec 24, 2015	EF1	47 km	6.2 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	92 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	93 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	85 km	4.0 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	63 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	74 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 12, 1996	EF1	67 km	0.6 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	15 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	44 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1983	EF1	49 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	81 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	74 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	99 km	2.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 2023	EF0	9 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

4 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	100 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	128 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	129 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	135 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (154 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	154 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,121 m (6,959 ft)	1790	195 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	92 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	99 km
2021	CALDOR	226,583	95 km
2014	KING	99,070	93 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	92 km
2022	MOSQUITO	77,858	96 km
2015	BUTTE	72,894	56 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	88 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	77 km
1992	CLEVELAND	21,835	92 km
1992	GULCH	18,019	67 km
2004	POWER	17,266	86 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	75 km
2001	DARBY	14,734	81 km
2006	ZAM ASSIST	14,404	78 km
2018	WAVERLY	12,238	47 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	81 km
1992	MOCCASIN	9,565	96 km
1996	SCOTT	8,828	35 km
2015	WRAGG	8,455	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
February	51°F (10°C)	3.3 in
March	54°F (12°C)	3.1 in
April	59°F (15°C)	1.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	0.5 in
June	71°F (22°C)	0.2 in
July	76°F (24°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.1 in
September	71°F (21°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	1.1 in
November	52°F (11°C)	2.6 in
December	45°F (7°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Herald has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 45°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.8") and July the driest (0.1").

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