Weather & Climate in Orinda, CA

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

Orinda enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 323 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 26.1 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 760 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	58.5°F
	8% above US avg
January Average	51°F (11°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	760 ft (232 m)
Area	12.9 sq mi (33.3 km²)
Population Density	1,515/sq mi
Coordinates	37.8816°N, 122.1686°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport	Metro Oakland International (OAK) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.1"

31% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.02"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.5 / 100
Community Resilience	97.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively High
Tsunami	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

5,119 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	39 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	115 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	111 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	140 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	114 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	115 km	6 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	59 km	9 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	121 km	5 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	114 km	7 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	102 km	7 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	118 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	70 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	116 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	77 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	119 km	1 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	109 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	46 km	8 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	118 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	118 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	118 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

61 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	58 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 1, 1958	EF2	84 km	15.0 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	57 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	93 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 18, 2011	EF1	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	36 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	34 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	78 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 23, 1996	EF1	78 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	89 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	94 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	86 km	7.5 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	82 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1988	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 27, 1983	EF1	78 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	51 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 10, 1964	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	33 km	0.2 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	21 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	97 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	-	44 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	-	35 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	-	-	79 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (132 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	132 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	73 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	83 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	89 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	82 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	82 km
2017	NUNS	56,883	60 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	54 km
2007	LICK	47,424	98 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	98 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	88 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	93 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	61 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	68 km
2006	ZAM ASSIST	14,404	100 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	68 km
1995	VISION	11,931	64 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	85 km
2015	WRAGG	8,455	67 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	89 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	82 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	51°F (11°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	5.1 in
March	53°F (12°C)	4.2 in
April	56°F (14°C)	1.7 in
May	60°F (16°C)	0.6 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.2 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	67°F (20°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	1.5 in
November	55°F (13°C)	4.1 in
December	49°F (9°C)	4.4 in	Coldest

Orinda has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 49°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (0.1").

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