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Weather & Climate in Sonora, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sonora enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. 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 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,833 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 57.7°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,833 ft (559 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,571/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9817°N, 120.3828°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Merced County County |
| Nearest Airport | Merced Yosemite Regional (MCE) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,626 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Sep 12, 1994 | 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada | M6.1 | 113 km | 14 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | Antelope Valley, CA | M6.0 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 3 km NE of Mono City, California | M5.8 | 111 km | 11 km |
| May 15, 1999 | 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California | M5.5 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Sep 18, 2004 | 27 km NW of Benton, California | M5.4 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 30km SE of Bodie, CA | M5.2 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Sep 12, 1994 | 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California | M5.1 | 106 km | -1 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 32km SE of Markleeville, CA | M5.0 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Jan 16, 1993 | 9 km E of Gilroy, California | M4.9 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1998 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | M4.9 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Nov 30, 1997 | 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 1995 | California-Nevada border region | M4.9 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Nov 22, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.9 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California | M4.8 | 139 km | 4 km |
| Oct 30, 1998 | 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Dec 28, 1995 | 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.8 | 103 km | -1 km |
| Jun 26, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California | M4.8 | 149 km | -2 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV | M4.7 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada | M4.7 | 106 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 1953 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2023 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2015 | EF1 | 63 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2006 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2002 | EF1 | 74 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1995 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 55 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1978 | EF1 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1978 | EF1 | 59 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1967 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2023 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | EF0 | 90 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2020 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2019 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mono Lake Volcanic Field (119 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Mono Lake Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,121 m (6,959 ft) | 1790 | 119 km |
| Mono-Inyo Craters | Lava dome(s) | 2,796 m (9,173 ft) | 1380 | 120 km |
| Mammoth Mountain | Lava dome(s) | 3,369 m (11,053 ft) | 1260 | 125 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIM (257,084 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | RIM | 257,084 | 37 km |
| 2021 | CALDOR | 226,583 | 83 km |
| 2018 | FERGUSON | 97,307 | 64 km |
| 2017 | DETWILER | 83,297 | 53 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE | 72,894 | 37 km |
| 2021 | TAMARACK | 70,171 | 100 km |
| 1996 | ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) | 58,161 | 50 km |
| 1987 | PAPER | 49,296 | 23 km |
| 1987 | LARSON | 49,250 | 48 km |
| 1987 | HAMM | 39,333 | 35 km |
| 2018 | DONNELL | 36,151 | 66 km |
| 2008 | TELEGRAPH | 33,479 | 53 km |
| 2020 | SLINK | 26,437 | 93 km |
| 2002 | CANNON | 23,605 | 98 km |
| 1992 | CLEVELAND | 21,835 | 95 km |
| 2022 | OAK | 19,408 | 67 km |
| 2015 | WASHINGTON | 18,485 | 95 km |
| 1992 | GULCH | 18,019 | 24 km |
| 1990 | A-ROCK | 17,706 | 61 km |
| 1996 | ROGGE | 17,559 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in |
Sonora has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 44°F in January to 77°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (0.1").