Weather & Climate in Salinas, CA

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

Salinas experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 324 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 31.0 inches. The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)

Annual Average	55.3°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	49°F (9°C)
July Average	61°F (16°C)
Sunny Days	324 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	46 ft (14 m)
Area	23.2 sq mi (60.1 km²)
Population Density	6,887/sq mi
Coordinates	36.6902°N, 121.6338°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Benito County County
Nearest Airport	Monterey Regional (MRY) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.0"

18% below US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.62"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

5,363 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	149 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	27 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	81 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	101 km	9 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	17 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	30 km	7 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	130 km	11 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	40 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	27 km	6 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	31 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	22 km	5 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	136 km	8 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	40 km	7 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	125 km	10 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	131 km	11 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	73 km	9 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	75 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	26 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	69 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	42 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 10 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	83 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	27 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	87 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	53 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	34 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	88 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	30 km	7.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	24 km	1.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	91 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	45 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	52 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	36 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 22, 2012	EF0	27 km	1.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2007	EF0	35 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF0	47 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 14, 1998	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

6 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	120 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	44 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	108 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	136 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	127 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	61 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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	90 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	53 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	41 km
2020	DOLAN	124,382	70 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	72 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	66 km
1985	GORDA-RAT	52,474	71 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	23 km
2007	LICK	47,424	62 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (HARE)	43,054	72 km
1985	CHERRY	41,654	81 km
2005	UNNAMED	39,070	92 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	79 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	46 km
1996	WILD	24,439	84 km
1984	UNNAMED	23,122	92 km
1996	UNNAMED	19,243	91 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	69 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	75 km
2008	CHALK	15,420	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (9°C)	3.6 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	3.1 in
March	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in
April	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
May	58°F (15°C)	0.3 in
June	62°F (17°C)	0.1 in
July	61°F (16°C)	0.1 in	Driest
August	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	65°F (19°C)	0.3 in
October	62°F (17°C)	0.9 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in
December	50°F (10°C)	3.0 in

Salinas has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 49°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.6") and July the driest (0.1").

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