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Weather & Climate in McKittrick, CA

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

McKittrick enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°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 6.0 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 1,155 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,155 ft (352 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density24/sq mi
Coordinates35.2980°N, 119.6249°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Luis Obispo County County
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP)
55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.0"
84% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 2.09"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score95.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability32.8 / 100
Community Resilience93.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Drought Very High
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Low
Tsunami Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3,804 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake M6.0 89 km 8 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 142 km 10 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 137 km 9 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 133 km 11 km
Aug 7, 2024 24 km SW of Lamont, CA M5.2 52 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 9km N of Chatsworth, California M5.2 141 km 5 km
May 28, 1993 21km SW of Lamont, California M5.2 50 km 21 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 107 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M5.1 138 km 11 km
Apr 26, 1997 12km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 135 km 16 km
Jan 29, 1994 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California M5.1 146 km 1 km
Jan 19, 1994 8km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 132 km 14 km
Sep 29, 2004 25km SSW of Bodfish, California M5.0 91 km 3 km
Jun 26, 1995 11km SW of Valencia, California M5.0 133 km 13 km
Sep 29, 2004 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M5.0 108 km 11 km
Apr 27, 1997 11km SW of Valencia, California M4.9 136 km 15 km
Dec 20, 1994 3 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 103 km 8 km
Sep 30, 2004 13 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 113 km 10 km
Feb 24, 2016 6km SSW of Wasco, CA M4.9 36 km 22 km
Jan 17, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M4.9 137 km 12 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 3 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024 EF1 93 km 0.7 mi 0
Mar 17, 1991 EF1 23 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 3, 1977 EF1 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 1, 1964 EF1 65 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 21, 2023 EF0 98 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 2, 2019 EF0 79 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2015 EF0 25 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 2012 EF0 95 km 0.3 mi 0
Feb 27, 2010 EF0 32 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF0 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 2, 2004 EF0 94 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 29, 2001 EF0 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 3, 1999 EF0 60 km 0.1 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF0 95 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 22, 1997 EF0 45 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 17, 1997 EF0 57 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF0 72 km 2.0 mi 0
May 13, 1995 EF0 89 km 2.5 mi 0
Mar 24, 1994 EF0 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 23, 1993 EF0 56 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.4 m (11 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1812 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 3.4 m 1 125 km
1927 S. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m — 118 km
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 101 km
1901 MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 111 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (167 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 167 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THOMAS (281,982 acres, 2017).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2017 THOMAS 281,982 98 km
2007 ZACA 241,846 67 km
2006 DAY 159,713 97 km
1985 WHEELER 2 126,854 91 km
1996 FIFTY-EIGHT 94,704 61 km
2009 LA BREA 84,213 54 km
1985 LAS PILITAS 75,841 80 km
1997 LOGAN 49,627 48 km
1994 41 48,441 97 km
2017 GARZA 48,404 95 km
1997 LOKERN 46,139 12 km
1993 MARRE 44,309 71 km
2016 REY 33,323 80 km
2017 ALAMO 29,256 71 km
2011 BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX 27,229 85 km
2011 COMANCHE 25,965 81 km
1993 ORCHARD 22,309 64 km
1996 SKYLINE 21,694 87 km
2002 WOLF 21,097 87 km
2017 WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770 18,510 90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 1.9 in
February 51°F (10°C) 2.1 in Wettest
March 54°F (12°C) 2.0 in
April 58°F (15°C) 1.0 in
May 66°F (19°C) 0.3 in
June 74°F (24°C) 0.1 in
July 83°F (28°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 79°F (26°C) 0.1 in
September 73°F (23°C) 0.3 in
October 65°F (18°C) 0.5 in
November 54°F (12°C) 1.4 in
December 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in Coldest

McKittrick has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 46°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.0 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.0").

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