Weather & Climate in Kensington, CA

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

Kensington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 26.1 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 321 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.4°F
8% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Geography

Elevation321 ft (98 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density5,513/sq mi
Coordinates37.9051°N, 122.2842°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Mateo County County
Nearest AirportMetro Oakland International (OAK)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.1"
31% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 5.32"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.01"

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %88.1%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability20.5 / 100
Community Resilience97.6 / 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

5,075 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 35 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 122 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 118 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 147 km 9 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 122 km 7 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 122 km 6 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 128 km 5 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 54 km 9 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 121 km 7 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 95 km 7 km
May 12, 2006 7 km W of Cobb, California M4.7 111 km 4 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 78 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 123 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 85 km 9 km
Jan 2, 2025 4 km NW of Cobb, CA M4.7 112 km 1 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 116 km 15 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 35 km 8 km
Jan 11, 2000 6 km N of Geyserville, California M4.6 111 km 6 km
Feb 18, 2004 4 km WNW of Cobb, California M4.6 112 km 3 km
Jan 12, 2014 8 km W of Cobb, California M4.5 111 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 64 km 0.6 mi 0
Jun 1, 1958 EF2 74 km 15.0 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 61 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 98 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 18, 2011 EF1 71 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 46 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 31 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 5, 1998 EF1 71 km 1.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 60 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 23, 1996 EF1 68 km 6.0 mi 0
Feb 22, 1996 EF1 82 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 73 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 77 km 7.5 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 86 km 3.0 mi 0
Feb 27, 1983 EF1 71 km 0.8 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 59 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 87 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 10, 1964 EF1 83 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 32 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 8, 2022 EF0 97 km 0.8 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 28 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 103 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m - 45 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m - 30 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 85 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (126 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 126 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 83 km
2020 HENNESSEY 314,241 80 km
2018 COUNTY 92,450 87 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 85 km
2019 KINCADE 77,780 96 km
2020 GLASS 68,020 76 km
2017 NUNS 56,883 53 km
2017 ATLAS 51,664 51 km
2004 RUMSEY 39,335 95 km
1999 SIXTEEN 37,162 100 km
2017 TUBBS 36,981 81 km
1988 MILLER 35,750 61 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 79 km
2006 ZAM ASSIST 14,404 100 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 78 km
1995 VISION 11,931 53 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 90 km
2015 WRAGG 8,455 67 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 92 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 51°F (11°C) 4.8 in
February 53°F (12°C) 5.1 in
March 55°F (13°C) 3.8 in
April 57°F (14°C) 1.8 in
May 60°F (15°C) 0.8 in
June 63°F (17°C) 0.3 in
July 64°F (18°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 64°F (18°C) 0.1 in
September 65°F (18°C) 0.1 in Warmest
October 63°F (17°C) 1.2 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.7 in
December 51°F (11°C) 5.3 in Coldest, Wettest

Kensington has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 51°F in December to 65°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 26.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (0.0").

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