Weather & Climate in Richmond, CA

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

Richmond enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 314 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 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 30 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	56.3°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	62°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	314 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	30 ft (9 m)
Area	52.5 sq mi (135.9 km²)
Population Density	3,841/sq mi
Coordinates	37.9523°N, 122.3606°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport	Metro Oakland International (OAK) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"

8% below US avg

Snowfall 0.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 7.17"

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

4,905 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	30 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	129 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	126 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	131 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	129 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	136 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	130 km	6 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	48 km	9 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	88 km	7 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	104 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	87 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	130 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	93 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	105 km	1 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	29 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	123 km	15 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	103 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	105 km	3 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	110 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	104 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	71 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 1, 1958	EF2	65 km	15.0 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	68 km	5.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2011	EF1	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	52 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	34 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 27, 2005	EF1	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	63 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 23, 1996	EF1	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	74 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	69 km	7.5 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	78 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 27, 1983	EF1	63 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	67 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 10, 1964	EF1	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	37 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 28, 2019	EF0	88 km	1.7 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	36 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	110 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	51 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	31 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	93 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (119 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	119 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	91 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	75 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	83 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	91 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	88 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	96 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	69 km
2017	NUNS	56,883	46 km
2020	WALLBRIDGE	55,194	93 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	47 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	90 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	95 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	74 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	58 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	87 km
2006	ZAM ASSIST	14,404	98 km
2004	GEYSERS	12,075	93 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	87 km
1995	VISION	11,931	45 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	7.2 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	53°F (12°C)	6.1 in
March	55°F (13°C)	5.0 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	0.7 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.2 in
July	62°F (17°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	1.7 in
November	56°F (13°C)	4.8 in
December	50°F (10°C)	5.7 in

Richmond has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 50°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 33.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.2") and July the driest (0.1").

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