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Weather & Climate in Sand City, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sand City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 330 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 17.1 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 36 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 55.9°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 476/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6218°N, 121.8477°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Monterey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Monterey Regional (MRY) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
5,040 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Apr 18, 1990 | 5 km NNW of Aromas, California | M5.4 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 95 km | 9 km |
| Sep 17, 1991 | 22 km NW of San Simeon, California | M5.2 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km E of Interlaken, California | M5.1 | 40 km | 7 km |
| Aug 12, 1998 | 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California | M5.1 | 38 km | 9 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 142 km | 11 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 56 km | 7 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 58 km | 7 km |
| Apr 19, 1996 | 2 km E of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km NNW of Aromas, California | M4.9 | 38 km | 6 km |
| May 14, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 44 km | 7 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 142 km | 11 km |
| May 21, 1996 | 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California | M4.7 | 83 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 33 km SE of Big Sur, California | M4.7 | 70 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1990 | 4 km N of Aromas, California | M4.7 | 39 km | 4 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California | M4.7 | 78 km | 9 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 60 km | 8 km |
| Mar 24, 1991 | 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California | M4.6 | 40 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
23 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 10 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1998 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 1985 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 1951 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2024 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 20, 2001 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1998 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 6, 1992 | EF1 | 4 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 6, 1992 | EF1 | 10 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1980 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1965 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2019 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2019 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2016 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2016 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 2012 | EF0 | 29 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2007 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF0 | 43 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1998 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1997 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 13, 1997 | EF0 | 100 km | 3.0 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 | 122 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 46 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 106 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 133 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 139 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 65 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 | 52 km |
| 2016 | SOBERANES | 131,921 | 36 km |
| 2020 | DOLAN | 124,382 | 70 km |
| 2020 | CZU AUG LIGHTNING | 85,894 | 67 km |
| 2008 | BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS) | 59,095 | 69 km |
| 1985 | GORDA-RAT | 52,474 | 71 km |
| 2020 | RIVER | 51,582 | 29 km |
| 2007 | LICK | 47,424 | 77 km |
| 1999 | KIRK COMPLEX (HARE) | 43,054 | 72 km |
| 1985 | CHERRY | 41,654 | 87 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 39,070 | 95 km |
| 2006 | CANYON | 36,851 | 93 km |
| 1999 | KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE) | 36,162 | 43 km |
| 1996 | WILD | 24,439 | 84 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 23,122 | 95 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 19,243 | 94 km |
| 2003 | ANNIE | 17,383 | 86 km |
| 1996 | MERCY | 16,993 | 95 km |
| 2008 | CHALK | 15,420 | 76 km |
| 1984 | BONANZA | 12,105 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 53°F (11°C) | 5.1 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 60°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 51°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | Coldest |
Sand City has a seasonal temperature swing of 10°F / from 51°F in December to 61°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.3") and July the driest (0.1").