Weather & Climate in San Ardo, CA

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

San Ardo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. 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 20.8 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 445 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	57.4°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	445 ft (136 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	1,069/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0237°N, 120.9073°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Monterey County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 59 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.8"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.52"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	54.8 / 100
Community Resilience	24.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,735 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	54 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	121 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	32 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	45 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	125 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	95 km	9 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	37 km	11 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	121 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	115 km	5 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	70 km	7 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	42 km	8 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	122 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	121 km	6 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	34 km	10 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	148 km	22 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	38 km	11 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	56 km	6 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	59 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	120 km	4 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	67 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	81 km	4.9 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF1	94 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	78 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 2019	EF0	85 km	0.4 mi	0
Mar 2, 2019	EF0	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	48 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 17, 2012	EF0	86 km	0.0 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	85 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF0	94 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	135 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	142 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	95 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	37 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BASIN COMPLEX (164,537 acres, 2008).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	64 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	79 km
2020	DOLAN	124,382	51 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	95 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	90 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	44 km
1985	GORDA-RAT	52,474	50 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	79 km
1994	41	48,441	73 km
2017	GARZA	48,404	55 km
2016	CHIMNEY	46,950	35 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (HARE)	43,054	50 km
1985	CHERRY	41,654	24 km
2005	UNNAMED	39,070	30 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	70 km
2020	MINERAL	29,901	36 km
1996	WILD	24,439	44 km
1984	UNNAMED	23,122	31 km
1993	ORCHARD	22,309	81 km
1996	SKYLINE	21,694	78 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	2.5 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	2.4 in
March	53°F (12°C)	2.3 in
April	57°F (14°C)	0.9 in
May	62°F (17°C)	0.2 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.0 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.0 in
September	69°F (20°C)	0.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	0.6 in
November	54°F (12°C)	1.6 in
December	48°F (9°C)	1.9 in

San Ardo has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 45°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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