Weather & Climate in Highlands, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highlands 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. Annual precipitation totals 19.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27 / among the cleanest air in the country. 88% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 553 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 58.7°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,950/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5200°N, 122.3459°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Mateo County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Francisco International (SFO) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 27.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 88.1% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.6 / 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
5,293 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 | 77 km | 11 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 5 km NNW of Aromas, California | M5.4 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 86 km | 7 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 96 km | 9 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 90 km | 7 km |
| Apr 19, 1996 | 2 km E of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km NNW of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 90 km | 6 km |
| Sep 4, 1995 | 13 km SW of Middletown, California | M4.8 | 134 km | 7 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 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km N of Aromas, California | M4.7 | 91 km | 4 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 63 km | 9 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Aug 18, 1999 | 0 km S of Bolinas, California | M4.6 | 53 km | 8 km |
| Mar 24, 1991 | 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California | M4.6 | 83 km | 15 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 6 km N of Geyserville, California | M4.6 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 15 km SW of Westley, CA | M4.5 | 93 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
38 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1998 | EF2 | 33 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 1951 | EF2 | 26 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2024 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 2010 | EF1 | 67 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 2005 | EF1 | 16 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 20, 2001 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1998 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1996 | EF1 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1980 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1965 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2019 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2019 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 2012 | EF0 | 85 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2012 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2011 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2007 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 2005 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2005 | EF0 | 98 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2005 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 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 | 68 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | - | 5 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 24 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 53 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (165 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 165 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 | 75 km |
| 2020 | CZU AUG LIGHTNING | 85,894 | 43 km |
| 2017 | NUNS | 56,883 | 93 km |
| 2017 | ATLAS | 51,664 | 94 km |
| 2007 | LICK | 47,424 | 88 km |
| 2006 | CANYON | 36,851 | 90 km |
| 2024 | CORRAL | 16,138 | 79 km |
| 2009 | CORRAL | 12,006 | 76 km |
| 1995 | VISION | 11,931 | 74 km |
| 1985 | LEXINGTON | 11,550 | 56 km |
| 2009 | LOCKHEED | 8,287 | 50 km |
| 2003 | BIRD | 7,727 | 89 km |
| 1984 | SITE 300 3 | 6,911 | 78 km |
| 2005 | TESLA | 6,638 | 71 km |
| 2003 | DEL PUERTO | 6,441 | 84 km |
| 2006 | MIDWAY | 6,243 | 74 km |
| 2020 | CREWS | 5,802 | 96 km |
| 2003 | DEVIL | 4,975 | 68 km |
| 2020 | WOODWARD | 4,952 | 70 km |
| 2003 | JUMP | 4,817 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 51°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
Highlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 51°F in January to 65°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 19.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (0.0").