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Weather & Climate in Stanford, CA

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

Stanford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 68°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 15.1 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 88 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation88 ft (27 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²)
Population Density6,530/sq mi
Coordinates37.4269°N, 122.1677°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Mateo County County
Nearest AirportNorman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability20.5 / 100
Community Resilience97.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Tsunami Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,069 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 89 km 11 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 71 km 5 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 98 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 67 km 7 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 77 km 7 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 78 km 5 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 72 km 7 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 71 km 6 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 126 km 7 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 108 km 9 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 149 km 7 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 40 km 8 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 73 km 4 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 45 km 9 km
Aug 27, 2011 21 km NE of Soledad, California M4.6 128 km 8 km
Mar 24, 1991 1 km NNE of Interlaken, California M4.6 65 km 15 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 70 km 8 km
Sep 19, 2023 15 km SW of Westley, CA M4.5 77 km 4 km
Aug 3, 2006 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California M4.5 111 km 9 km
Jan 12, 2011 9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California M4.5 94 km 8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1998 EF2 14 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 11, 1985 EF2 94 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 11, 1951 EF2 8 km 5.7 mi 0
Dec 14, 2024 EF1 44 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 65 km 1.6 mi 0
Mar 20, 2005 EF1 33 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 20, 2001 EF1 61 km 0.5 mi 0
May 5, 1998 EF1 7 km 0.3 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 95 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 6, 1992 EF1 100 km 7.0 mi 0
Jan 14, 1980 EF1 26 km 0.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1965 EF1 59 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 27 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 53 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 6, 2019 EF0 54 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 6, 2016 EF0 88 km 0.6 mi 0
Dec 22, 2012 EF0 68 km 1.1 mi 0
Apr 11, 2012 EF0 89 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 7, 2011 EF0 91 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 31 km
1989 N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.0 m 62 50 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m - 14 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m - 42 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 35 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (180 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 180 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 59 km
2020 CZU AUG LIGHTNING 85,894 32 km
2007 LICK 47,424 69 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 73 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 85 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 67 km
2009 CORRAL 12,006 63 km
1995 VISION 11,931 92 km
1985 LEXINGTON 11,550 38 km
2009 LOCKHEED 8,287 39 km
2003 BIRD 7,727 75 km
1984 SITE 300 3 6,911 66 km
2005 TESLA 6,638 59 km
2003 DEL PUERTO 6,441 68 km
2006 MIDWAY 6,243 63 km
2020 CREWS 5,802 78 km
2003 DEVIL 4,975 53 km
2020 WOODWARD 4,952 88 km
2003 JUMP 4,817 57 km
2016 LOMA 4,380 46 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 5.4 in Coldest, Wettest
February 51°F (11°C) 4.4 in
March 52°F (11°C) 4.3 in
April 55°F (13°C) 1.9 in
May 58°F (15°C) 0.5 in
June 62°F (17°C) 0.2 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
September 65°F (18°C) 0.4 in
October 61°F (16°C) 1.5 in
November 54°F (12°C) 3.9 in
December 49°F (9°C) 4.3 in

Stanford has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 48°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.4") and July the driest (0.1").

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