Weather & Climate in Mendocino, CA

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

Mendocino experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 293 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 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 67% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 271 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)

Annual Average	51.5°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	57°F (14°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	271 ft (83 m)
Area	7.4 sq mi (19.2 km²)
Population Density	279/sq mi
Coordinates	39.3125°N, 123.7924°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Mendocino County County
Nearest Airport	Chico Regional (CIC) 106 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.2"

14% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.43"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	66.7%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	76.8 / 100
Community Resilience	39.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
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	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5,927 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 25, 1992	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	M7.2	120 km	10 km
Apr 26, 1992	32 km SW of Ferndale, California	M6.6	136 km	22 km
Apr 26, 1992	30 km WSW of Ferndale, California	M6.5	141 km	19 km
Aug 17, 1991	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	M6.0	113 km	8 km
Jan 28, 2015	40 km SW of Ferndale, California	M5.7	132 km	17 km
Jan 22, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.6	118 km	23 km
Jun 23, 2019	6km SSW of Petrolia, CA	M5.6	115 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1990	30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.4	112 km	4 km
Jan 1, 2023	15km SE of Rio Dell, CA	M5.4	123 km	31 km
Mar 8, 1992	27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	M5.3	110 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	15km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.2	128 km	29 km
Jan 26, 1997	33 km SW of Scotia, California	M5.2	120 km	22 km
Jul 18, 2021	12km W of Petrolia, CA	M5.1	125 km	31 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	85 km	14 km
Jul 19, 2006	35 km SSW of Ferndale, California	M5.0	121 km	20 km
Aug 7, 2009	43 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	132 km	16 km
Jun 19, 1994	29 km SW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	129 km	19 km
Jun 5, 1992	31 km SSW of Ferndale, California	M4.9	123 km	20 km
Sep 24, 2022	37km W of Petrolia, CA	M4.8	137 km	13 km
Dec 26, 1999	34 km SW of Scotia, California	M4.8	119 km	23 km

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

Tornado History

5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jan 27, 2005	EF1	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	12 km	1.7 mi	0
Feb 17, 1959	EF1	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 11, 1983	EF0	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Feb 3, 1958	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1992	CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	126 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (96 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	96 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	AUGUST COMPLEX	1,068,802	96 km
2018	RANCH	427,048	88 km
1996	FORK	83,209	91 km
1987	MENDENHALL	54,162	70 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	73 km
2012	NORTH PASS	43,689	91 km
2017	REDWOOD VALLEY INCIDENT	36,545	50 km
2001	TROUGH	25,270	94 km
2017	POCKET	18,691	99 km
1987	FOUTS	16,892	88 km
2006	HUNTER	16,757	84 km
2003	HONEYDEW	13,555	99 km
2014	LODGE COMPLEX	12,299	54 km
1987	TRAVIS	11,989	98 km
1985	UNNAMED	9,655	95 km
2008	MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (SUGARLOAF)	8,344	43 km
2008	MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (RED MOUNTAIN)	7,636	66 km
2003	SPANISH	6,384	90 km
2008	MEU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (HARDY)	5,520	44 km
1988	SADDLE	5,144	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	8.4 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	48°F (9°C)	7.0 in
March	50°F (10°C)	6.6 in
April	51°F (11°C)	3.0 in
May	54°F (12°C)	1.2 in
June	57°F (14°C)	0.4 in
July	57°F (14°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	59°F (15°C)	0.4 in
September	59°F (15°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
October	56°F (13°C)	2.9 in
November	51°F (10°C)	6.9 in
December	46°F (8°C)	7.5 in

Mendocino has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 46°F in January to 59°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.4") and July the driest (0.1").

View full profile of Mendocino, CA →