Weather & Climate in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Santa Cruz enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 64°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 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. 80% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 89 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	58.7°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	52°F (11°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	317 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	89 ft (27 m)
Area	15.8 sq mi (41.0 km²)
Population Density	4,784/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9744°N, 122.0353°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Cruz County County
Nearest Airport	Norman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.6"

19% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.61"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	80.1%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	97.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	28.1 / 100
Community Resilience	71.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4,217 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	140 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	34 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	129 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	144 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	31 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	57 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	51 km	7 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	85 km	7 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	39 km	5 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	39 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	34 km	6 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	35 km	4 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	113 km	9 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	51 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	49 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	88 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	28 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	119 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	83 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	53 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	44 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	58 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	45 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	8 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	83 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	23 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	46 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	44 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	48 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	58 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	77 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	3 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	58 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 22, 2012	EF0	21 km	1.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2007	EF0	39 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF0	2 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1998	EF0	99 km	0.1 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	81 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	15 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	63 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	91 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	28 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	75 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	94 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	78 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	25 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	68 km
2007	LICK	47,424	61 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	75 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	86 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	76 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	90 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	84 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	22 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	20 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	89 km
2020	CARMEL	7,299	70 km
1984	SITE 300 3	6,911	90 km
2009	GLORIA	6,686	87 km
2005	TESLA	6,638	87 km
2003	DEL PUERTO	6,441	76 km
2006	MIDWAY	6,243	90 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	52°F (11°C)	6.6 in	Wettest
February	52°F (11°C)	5.7 in
March	53°F (12°C)	5.0 in
April	56°F (13°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (15°C)	0.6 in
June	61°F (16°C)	0.2 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in
September	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	60°F (16°C)	1.5 in
November	54°F (12°C)	4.3 in
December	50°F (10°C)	4.6 in	Coldest

Santa Cruz has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 50°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.6") and July the driest (0.1").

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