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Weather & Climate in Los Banos, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Los Banos enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°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 9.5 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 118 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 63.4°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Area | 10.1 sq mi (26.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,678/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0632°N, 120.8403°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Merced County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,966 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 5 km NNW of Aromas, California | M5.4 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Sep 17, 1991 | 22 km NW of San Simeon, California | M5.2 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 65 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 56 km | 7 km |
| Apr 19, 1996 | 2 km E of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 61 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km NNW of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 74 km | 6 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 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 12 km SE of Parkfield, California | M4.7 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 33 km SE of Big Sur, California | M4.7 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km N of Aromas, California | M4.7 | 73 km | 4 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 79 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
67 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 11, 1985 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1962 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 52 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 41 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2002 | EF1 | 66 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 20, 2001 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 14, 1998 | EF1 | 39 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 51 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 40 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 63 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 9 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF1 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1965 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 46 km | 2.0 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 | 132 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 93 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 138 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 122 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 95 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (172 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 172 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 180 km |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 191 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 |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 84 km |
| 2020 | RIVER | 51,582 | 91 km |
| 2007 | LICK | 47,424 | 55 km |
| 2006 | CANYON | 36,851 | 56 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 95 km |
| 1985 | LOSGATOSIV | 20,357 | 80 km |
| 2003 | ANNIE | 17,383 | 40 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 22 km |
| 2024 | CORRAL | 16,138 | 84 km |
| 1996 | PANOCHE II | 14,760 | 58 km |
| 1984 | BONANZA | 12,105 | 36 km |
| 2009 | CORRAL | 12,006 | 82 km |
| 1985 | LEXINGTON | 11,550 | 96 km |
| 2021 | RIVER | 10,183 | 95 km |
| 2001 | CREEK | 9,793 | 95 km |
| 1992 | MOCCASIN | 9,565 | 98 km |
| 2006 | THREE ROCKS | 9,336 | 69 km |
| 2000 | HUNTER | 7,734 | 85 km |
| 2003 | BIRD | 7,727 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 1.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Los Banos has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.7") and June the driest (0.0").