Weather & Climate in Nipomo, CA

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

Nipomo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 64°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 13.3 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 344 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	344 ft (105 m)
Area	14.9 sq mi (38.5 km²)
Population Density	1,145/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0307°N, 120.4978°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Luis Obispo County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.3"

65% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 4.06"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	32.8 / 100
Community Resilience	93.9 / 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

2,578 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	88 km	8 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	146 km	9 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	128 km	12 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	115 km	9 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	128 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	138 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	103 km	11 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	99 km	8 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	107 km	10 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	117 km	22 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	103 km	11 km
May 29, 2013	6km W of Isla Vista, CA	M4.8	87 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	87 km	6 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	148 km	9 km
Aug 7, 2024	25 km SW of Lamont, CA	M4.6	126 km	12 km
Apr 16, 2005	20km ESE of Maricopa, CA	M4.6	119 km	9 km
Mar 17, 2004	9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California	M4.5	94 km	4 km
May 16, 2005	5 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	100 km	9 km
Aug 6, 2012	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	102 km	11 km
Aug 8, 2024	22 km NW of Grapevine, CA	M4.4	130 km	12 km

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

Tornado History

12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	15 km	0.7 mi	0
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	41 km	4.9 mi	0
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	81 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	45 km	—	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	14 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	11 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	32 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	48 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	107 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	35 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	27 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	108 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ZACA (241,846 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	ZACA	241,846	85 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	38 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	44 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	29 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	37 km
1994	41	48,441	44 km
2016	CHIMNEY	46,950	95 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	96 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	60 km
2016	REY	33,323	86 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	21 km
1993	ORCHARD	22,309	88 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	74 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	69 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	47 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	76 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	79 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	49 km
1989	CHISPA	9,869	47 km
1996	HWY 41	9,537	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
February	52°F (11°C)	4.1 in
March	53°F (12°C)	3.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	1.3 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.3 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.1 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	65°F (19°C)	0.4 in
October	62°F (17°C)	0.8 in
November	56°F (13°C)	2.1 in
December	51°F (10°C)	2.9 in	Coldest

Nipomo has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 51°F in December to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 19.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (0.0").

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