Weather & Climate in Hollister, CA

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

Hollister enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 13.7 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 282 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	49°F (10°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	282 ft (86 m)
Area	7.3 sq mi (18.9 km²)
Population Density	5,402/sq mi
Coordinates	36.8556°N, 121.3986°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Benito County County
Nearest Airport	Monterey Regional (MRY) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.7"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 0.1"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

5,350 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	148 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	25 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	78 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	116 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	28 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	13 km	9 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	19 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	22 km	7 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	33 km	7 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	134 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	24 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	19 km	5 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	123 km	10 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	129 km	11 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	150 km	6 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	63 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	23 km	4 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	93 km	9 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	57 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	80 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	1 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	86 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 15, 2015	EF1	91 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 16, 2002	EF1	94 km	1.3 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	36 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	87 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF1	82 km	3.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	58 km	7.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	52 km	1.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	82 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	100 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	100 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	64 km	1.0 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	113 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	48 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	107 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	135 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	125 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	59 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	71 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	73 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	65 km
2020	DOLAN	124,382	87 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	79 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	80 km
1985	GORDA-RAT	52,474	88 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	44 km
2007	LICK	47,424	41 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (HARE)	43,054	89 km
1985	CHERRY	41,654	90 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	56 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	67 km
1996	WILD	24,439	100 km
1985	LOSGATOSIV	20,357	90 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	44 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	51 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	87 km
2008	CHALK	15,420	94 km
1996	PANOCHE II	14,760	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (10°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	2.3 in
March	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
April	58°F (14°C)	1.3 in
May	62°F (17°C)	0.2 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in
July	67°F (19°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	69°F (20°C)	0.2 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.7 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.2 in
December	49°F (9°C)	2.4 in	Coldest

Hollister has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 49°F in December to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (0.0").

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