Weather & Climate in San Rafael, CA

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

San Rafael enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 317 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 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 190 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	59.5°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	317 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	190 ft (58 m)
Area	22.4 sq mi (58.1 km²)
Population Density	3,653/sq mi
Coordinates	37.9810°N, 122.5069°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport	Metro Oakland International (OAK) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.5"

9% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 9.02"

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

4,574 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	31 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	139 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	135 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	141 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	139 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	145 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	45 km	9 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	138 km	7 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	81 km	7 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	97 km	4 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	140 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	98 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	104 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	99 km	1 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	132 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	18 km	8 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	95 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	98 km	3 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	122 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	96 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	80 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 1, 1958	EF2	53 km	15.0 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	76 km	5.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2011	EF1	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	65 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	38 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 27, 2005	EF1	89 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	55 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	75 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 23, 1996	EF1	48 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	55 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	58 km	7.5 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	69 km	3.0 mi	0
Feb 27, 1983	EF1	55 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	78 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 10, 1964	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 17, 1959	EF1	88 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	42 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 28, 2019	EF0	94 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	48 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	119 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	57 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	31 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	102 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (112 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	112 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HENNESSEY (314,241 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	74 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	84 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	96 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	80 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	90 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	64 km
2017	NUNS	56,883	41 km
2020	WALLBRIDGE	55,194	83 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	49 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	89 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	93 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	67 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	62 km
2017	POCKET	18,691	94 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	100 km
2004	GEYSERS	12,075	86 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	99 km
1995	VISION	11,931	32 km
2015	WRAGG	8,455	68 km
2014	MONTICELLO	6,984	73 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	9.0 in	Wettest
February	51°F (11°C)	7.5 in
March	53°F (11°C)	6.3 in
April	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in
May	58°F (15°C)	0.8 in
June	62°F (16°C)	0.2 in
July	68°F (20°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.2 in
September	65°F (18°C)	0.4 in
October	62°F (16°C)	2.2 in
November	54°F (12°C)	6.3 in
December	49°F (10°C)	7.6 in	Coldest

San Rafael has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 49°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.0") and July the driest (0.1").

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