Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Newman enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 81°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 11.7 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 89 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
65.0°F
20% above US avg
January Average
49°F (10°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
89 ft (27 m)
Area
2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density
5,747/sq mi
Coordinates
37.3161°N, 121.0214°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Stanislaus County County
Nearest Airport
Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall11.7"
69% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan)2.32"
Driest Month (Jun)0.04"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
32.0 / 100
Community Resilience
33.9 / 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 Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Drought
Very High
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Relatively Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,544 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.4.
Apr 18, 1990
5 km NNW of Aromas, California
M5.4
71 km
5 km
Oct 21, 2012
24 km NE of San Lucas, California
M5.3
113 km
9 km
Aug 12, 1998
10 km SW of Ridgemark, California
M5.1
74 km
9 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km E of Interlaken, California
M5.1
71 km
7 km
Jan 16, 1993
9 km E of Gilroy, California
M4.9
51 km
7 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km NNW of Aromas, California
M4.9
71 km
6 km
Apr 23, 1995
22 km NNE of Soledad, California
M4.9
81 km
7 km
Apr 19, 1996
2 km E of Aromas, California
M4.9
71 km
5 km
May 14, 2002
5 km SSW of Gilroy, California
M4.9
64 km
7 km
May 21, 1996
8 km ESE of East Foothills, California
M4.7
62 km
8 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km N of Aromas, California
M4.7
70 km
4 km
Aug 11, 1993
14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California
M4.7
58 km
9 km
Aug 27, 2011
21 km NE of Soledad, California
M4.6
83 km
8 km
Mar 24, 1991
1 km NNE of Interlaken, California
M4.6
74 km
15 km
Sep 19, 2023
15 km SW of Westley, CA
M4.5
28 km
4 km
Jan 12, 2011
9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California
M4.5
74 km
8 km
Jan 20, 2015
27 km ENE of Greenfield, California
M4.4
98 km
9 km
Apr 4, 2023
1km NNW of Tres Pinos, CA
M4.4
63 km
10 km
Sep 11, 1990
14 km S of Tres Pinos, California
M4.4
76 km
8 km
Apr 28, 1990
3 km SSE of North Gate, California
M4.4
105 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
86 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 5, 1998
EF2
89 km
0.6 mi
0
Mar 11, 1985
EF2
62 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 27, 1953
EF2
37 km
0.1 mi
0
Jan 11, 1951
EF2
97 km
5.7 mi
0
Dec 14, 2024
EF1
95 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 11, 2023
EF1
81 km
0.8 mi
0
Jan 10, 2023
EF1
88 km
0.4 mi
0
Nov 15, 2015
EF1
30 km
3.0 mi
0
Jan 23, 2010
EF1
93 km
1.6 mi
0
Apr 14, 2006
EF1
37 km
0.5 mi
0
Dec 16, 2002
EF1
44 km
1.3 mi
0
May 20, 2002
EF1
91 km
2.7 mi
0
Dec 20, 2001
EF1
78 km
0.5 mi
0
May 5, 1998
EF1
97 km
0.3 mi
0
Feb 14, 1998
EF1
69 km
3.0 mi
0
Dec 12, 1996
EF1
53 km
0.6 mi
0
Nov 22, 1996
EF1
51 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 14, 1995
EF1
70 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1988
EF1
96 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 14, 1980
EF1
78 km
0.3 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
104 km
1989
N. CALIFORNIA
Earthquake
1.0 m
62
82 km
1856
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
0.6 m
—
115 km
1906
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
0.1 m
—
137 km
1865
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
—
—
79 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Mammoth Mountain (179 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Mammoth Mountain
Lava dome(s)
3,369 m (11,053 ft)
1260
179 km
Mono-Inyo Craters
Lava dome(s)
2,796 m (9,173 ft)
1380
184 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
47 km
2017
DETWILER
83,297
84 km
2007
LICK
47,424
37 km
2006
CANYON
36,851
29 km
2008
TELEGRAPH
33,479
95 km
2003
ANNIE
17,383
22 km
1996
MERCY
16,993
53 km
2024
CORRAL
16,138
53 km
1996
PANOCHE II
14,760
90 km
2018
WAVERLY
12,238
78 km
1984
BONANZA
12,105
64 km
2009
CORRAL
12,006
51 km
1985
LEXINGTON
11,550
81 km
2001
CREEK
9,793
86 km
1992
MOCCASIN
9,565
86 km
2000
HUNTER
7,734
82 km
2003
BIRD
7,727
38 km
1985
PONOCHE 2
7,508
69 km
1984
SITE 300 3
6,911
55 km
2009
GLORIA
6,686
98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (10°C)
2.3 in
Wettest
February
51°F (11°C)
1.9 in
March
55°F (13°C)
1.7 in
April
60°F (15°C)
0.9 in
May
66°F (19°C)
0.2 in
June
72°F (22°C)
0.0 in
Driest
July
81°F (27°C)
0.0 in
Warmest
August
76°F (25°C)
0.1 in
September
73°F (23°C)
0.3 in
October
66°F (19°C)
0.6 in
November
55°F (13°C)
1.9 in
December
46°F (8°C)
1.7 in
Coldest
Newman has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.3") and June the driest (0.0").