Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Los Altos, CA

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

Los Altos enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 68°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 13.5 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 171 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average59.9°F
11% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation171 ft (52 m)
Area6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²)
Population Density4,700/sq mi
Coordinates37.3684°N, 122.0966°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Mateo County County
Nearest AirportNorman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.5"
65% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 3.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

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

4,103 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 96 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 62 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 58 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 89 km 9 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 68 km 7 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 63 km 7 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 117 km 7 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 69 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 62 km 6 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 116 km 9 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 33 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 63 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 37 km 9 km
Aug 27, 2011 21 km NE of Soledad, California M4.6 119 km 8 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 79 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 56 km 15 km
Sep 19, 2023 15 km SW of Westley, CA M4.5 71 km 4 km
Jan 12, 2011 9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California M4.5 85 km 8 km
Aug 3, 2006 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California M4.5 119 km 9 km
Jan 20, 2015 27 km ENE of Greenfield, California M4.4 144 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 10 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 6 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 11, 1985 EF2 85 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 2 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 36 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 67 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 42 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 20, 2001 EF1 52 km 0.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 2 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 88 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 92 km 7.0 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 23 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1965 EF1 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 36 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 46 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 46 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 6, 2016 EF0 79 km 0.6 mi 0
Dec 22, 2012 EF0 59 km 1.1 mi 0
Apr 11, 2012 EF0 88 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 7, 2011 EF0 97 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 37 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 42 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m - 23 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m - 51 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 26 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (188 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 188 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 55 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 27 km
2007 LICK 47,424 61 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 66 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 77 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 64 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 59 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 30 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 34 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 70 km
1984 SITE 300 3 6,911 63 km
2005 TESLA 6,638 57 km
2003 DEL PUERTO 6,441 62 km
2006 MIDWAY 6,243 61 km
2020 CREWS 5,802 69 km
2003 DEVIL 4,975 48 km
2020 WOODWARD 4,952 97 km
2003 JUMP 4,817 51 km
2016 LOMA 4,380 37 km
2008 SUMMIT 3,642 45 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 51°F (10°C) 3.4 in Wettest
February 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
March 55°F (13°C) 2.8 in
April 58°F (14°C) 1.3 in
May 62°F (16°C) 0.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.2 in
October 62°F (17°C) 1.0 in
November 55°F (13°C) 2.6 in
December 50°F (10°C) 2.6 in Coldest

Los Altos has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 50°F in December to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (0.0").

View full profile of Los Altos, CA →