Weather & Climate in Shafter, CA

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

Shafter enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. 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 7.7 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 371 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	62.9°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	47°F (8°C)
July Average	80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	371 ft (113 m)
Area	27.9 sq mi (72.4 km²)
Population Density	533/sq mi
Coordinates	35.4794°N, 119.2013°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Kern County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 81 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.7"

80% below US avg

Wettest Month (Feb) 1.18"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.1 / 100
Community Resilience	6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

6,822 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	M7.1	148 km	8 km
Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	112 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	149 km	5 km
Sep 20, 1995	16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California	M5.8	145 km	5 km
Jul 11, 1992	12km NW of California City, California	M5.7	107 km	10 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	136 km	9 km
Jul 6, 2019	15km ESE of Little Lake, CA	M5.5	139 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2019	20km E of Little Lake, CA	M5.4	145 km	7 km
Aug 17, 1995	17km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.4	143 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	131 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	42 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	138 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	38 km	21 km
Jan 7, 1996	16km N of Ridgecrest, California	M5.2	144 km	3 km
Jul 17, 2001	7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA	M5.2	134 km	2 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	119 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	134 km	11 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	133 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	130 km	14 km
Jan 29, 1994	6km NNE of Chatsworth, California	M5.1	142 km	1 km

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

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 28, 1991	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 1, 1964	EF1	53 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	44 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	53 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 9, 2012	EF0	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 27, 2010	EF0	21 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 27, 2008	EF0	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1999	EF0	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 22, 1997	EF0	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 17, 1997	EF0	22 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 20, 1997	EF0	94 km	3.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1996	EF0	33 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1996	EF0	78 km	0.3 mi	0
May 13, 1995	EF0	56 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 23, 1993	EF0	23 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 1993	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 12, 1991	EF0	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 20, 1988	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	143 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	131 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (126 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Golden Trout Creek	Volcanic field	2,886 m (9,469 ft)	-5550	126 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ZACA (241,846 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	ZACA	241,846	97 km
2006	DAY	159,713	98 km
2002	MCNALLY	146,540	97 km
2021	WINDY	97,831	77 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	96 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	91 km
2016	ERSKINE	48,066	79 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	32 km
2017	PIER	36,626	84 km
2008	PIUTE	36,251	78 km
2016	CEDAR	29,191	67 km
2021	FRENCH	27,331	62 km
2011	BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX	27,229	47 km
2011	COMANCHE	25,965	57 km
1984	BODFISH	23,189	74 km
1990	STORMY	23,157	71 km
1993	ORCHARD	22,309	84 km
1996	SKYLINE	21,694	95 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	99 km
2004	PINE	18,309	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
February	52°F (11°C)	1.2 in	Wettest
March	56°F (13°C)	1.2 in
April	61°F (16°C)	0.5 in
May	68°F (20°C)	0.2 in
June	76°F (24°C)	0.1 in
July	80°F (26°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	80°F (26°C)	0.0 in
September	74°F (23°C)	0.2 in
October	65°F (18°C)	0.3 in
November	54°F (12°C)	0.7 in
December	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Shafter has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.1 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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