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Weather & Climate in South Dos Palos, CA

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

South Dos Palos enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 48°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 8.0 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 112 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.1°F
19% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation112 ft (34 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density1,063/sq mi
Coordinates36.9707°N, 120.6467°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyMerced County County
Nearest AirportMerced Yosemite Regional (MCE)
24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.0"
79% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 1.57"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score96.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.7 / 100
Community Resilience7.3 / 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

4,965 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake M6.0 131 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 90 km 5 km
Oct 21, 2012 24 km NE of San Lucas, California M5.3 76 km 9 km
Sep 17, 1991 22 km NW of San Simeon, California M5.2 143 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 92 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 76 km 9 km
Sep 29, 2004 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M5.0 114 km 11 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 73 km 7 km
Dec 20, 1994 3 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 118 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 90 km 6 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 85 km 7 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 86 km 5 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 64 km 7 km
Sep 30, 2004 13 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 110 km 10 km
Nov 14, 1993 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.8 114 km 11 km
Sep 28, 2004 12 km SE of Parkfield, California M4.7 132 km 6 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 105 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 89 km 4 km
Feb 4, 1991 33 km SE of Big Sur, California M4.7 133 km 9 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 99 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

76 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Mar 11, 1985 EF2 68 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 22, 1962 EF2 78 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 27, 1953 EF2 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 17, 2019 EF1 98 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 15, 2015 EF1 64 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 14, 2006 EF1 82 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 16, 2002 EF1 42 km 1.3 mi 0
May 20, 2002 EF1 47 km 2.7 mi 0
Feb 14, 1998 EF1 19 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 12, 1996 EF1 91 km 0.6 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF1 96 km 0.8 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF1 44 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 14, 1995 EF1 37 km 1.0 mi 0
Feb 19, 1980 EF1 85 km 1.7 mi 0
Mar 14, 1979 EF1 96 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 53 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 75 km 2.5 mi 0
Mar 1, 1978 EF1 82 km 1.5 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF1 17 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF1 30 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

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

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 110 km
1901 MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 109 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 114 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (161 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Mammoth Mountain Lava dome(s) 3,369 m (11,053 ft) 1260 161 km
Mono-Inyo Craters Lava dome(s) 2,796 m (9,173 ft) 1380 170 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,121 m (6,959 ft) 1790 183 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 95 km
2017 DETWILER 83,297 80 km
2020 RIVER 51,582 98 km
2007 LICK 47,424 75 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 76 km
2008 TELEGRAPH 33,479 90 km
2020 MINERAL 29,901 90 km
1985 LOSGATOSIV 20,357 66 km
2022 OAK 19,408 94 km
2024 BOONE 17,701 89 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 60 km
1996 MERCY 16,993 20 km
1996 PANOCHE II 14,760 44 km
1984 BONANZA 12,105 36 km
2021 RIVER 10,183 83 km
2001 CREEK 9,793 96 km
2006 THREE ROCKS 9,336 54 km
2000 HUNTER 7,734 83 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 89 km
1985 PONOCHE 2 7,508 29 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 1.5 in
February 51°F (11°C) 1.6 in Wettest
March 55°F (13°C) 1.3 in
April 60°F (16°C) 0.6 in
May 67°F (19°C) 0.2 in
June 72°F (22°C) 0.0 in
July 80°F (27°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 75°F (24°C) 0.0 in
September 71°F (22°C) 0.2 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.5 in
November 53°F (12°C) 1.2 in
December 45°F (7°C) 1.2 in Coldest

South Dos Palos has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.6") and July the driest (0.0").

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