Weather & Climate in Santa Clara, CA

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

Santa Clara enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 322 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 31.6 inches. The area receives 1.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47. 55% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 52 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	59.5°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	322 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Area	18.4 sq mi (47.7 km²)
Population Density	7,070/sq mi
Coordinates	37.3646°N, 121.9680°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Clara County County
Nearest Airport	Norman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.6"

17% below US avg

Snowfall 1.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.19"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	47.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	55.4%
Unhealthy Days	1

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.2 / 100
Community Resilience	72.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,131 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	99 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	55 km	5 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	81 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	52 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	59 km	7 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	109 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	55 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	62 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	119 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	56 km	6 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	57 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	22 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	26 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	111 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	49 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	87 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	60 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	78 km	8 km
Aug 3, 2006	5 km W of Glen Ellen, California	M4.5	124 km	9 km
Jan 20, 2015	27 km ENE of Greenfield, California	M4.4	136 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

54 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	6 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	76 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	13 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	36 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	64 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	51 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	47 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	14 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	85 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	91 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	15 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1978	EF1	98 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	44 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	46 km	0.5 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	39 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	37 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	33 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	60 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	19 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (192 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	192 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	44 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	33 km
2007	LICK	47,424	50 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	55 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	66 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	54 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	49 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	25 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	38 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	60 km
1984	SITE 300 3	6,911	54 km
2005	TESLA	6,638	49 km
2003	DEL PUERTO	6,441	51 km
2006	MIDWAY	6,243	52 km
2020	CREWS	5,802	60 km
2003	DEVIL	4,975	38 km
2003	JUMP	4,817	40 km
2016	LOMA	4,380	31 km
2008	SUMMIT	3,642	39 km
1995	ISABEL	3,353	35 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	3.2 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in
March	55°F (13°C)	2.5 in
April	58°F (15°C)	1.2 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.2 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.1 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	69°F (20°C)	0.2 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.9 in
November	56°F (13°C)	2.4 in
December	50°F (10°C)	2.3 in

Santa Clara has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 50°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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