Weather & Climate in Sunnyvale, CA

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

Sunnyvale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 322 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 32.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 59 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	322 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Area	22.7 sq mi (58.8 km²)
Population Density	6,956/sq mi
Coordinates	37.3858°N, 122.0263°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport	Norman Y Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 32.6"

14% below US avg

Snowfall 0.6"

Wettest Month (Jan) 3.43"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.5 / 100
Community Resilience	97.6 / 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

4,111 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	96 km	11 km
Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	60 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	56 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	86 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	65 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	60 km	7 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	116 km	9 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	114 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	60 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	67 km	5 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	27 km	8 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	61 km	4 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	32 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	117 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	54 km	15 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	82 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	65 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	83 km	8 km
Aug 3, 2006	5 km W of Glen Ellen, California	M4.5	119 km	9 km
Jan 20, 2015	27 km ENE of Greenfield, California	M4.4	142 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	2 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	81 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 1953	EF2	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	9 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	38 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	63 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2006	EF1	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	46 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	51 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	8 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	93 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	17 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1967	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	39 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	48 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	76 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 24, 2015	EF0	98 km	0.2 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	36 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	41 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	27 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	54 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	24 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (188 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	188 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	48 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	32 km
2007	LICK	47,424	56 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	60 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	71 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	57 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	53 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	28 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	38 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	64 km
1984	SITE 300 3	6,911	57 km
2005	TESLA	6,638	51 km
2003	DEL PUERTO	6,441	55 km
2006	MIDWAY	6,243	55 km
2020	CREWS	5,802	65 km
2003	DEVIL	4,975	42 km
2020	WOODWARD	4,952	100 km
2003	JUMP	4,817	45 km
2016	LOMA	4,380	35 km
2008	SUMMIT	3,642	43 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
February	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in
March	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in
April	58°F (14°C)	1.3 in
May	62°F (16°C)	0.3 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.1 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.1 in
September	67°F (19°C)	0.2 in
October	62°F (17°C)	1.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in
December	50°F (10°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Sunnyvale has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 50°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.4") and July the driest (0.0").

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