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Weather & Climate in University of California-Davis, CA

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

University of California-Davis enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 75°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 19.2 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 50 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation50 ft (15 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density4,716/sq mi
Coordinates38.5377°N, 121.7579°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyYolo County County
Nearest AirportSacramento International (SMF)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.2"
50% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 4.09"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score91.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.2 / 100
Community Resilience69.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

4,181 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 60 km 11 km
Aug 10, 2016 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California M5.1 126 km 14 km
Sep 3, 2000 5 km WSW of Yountville, California M4.9 60 km 9 km
Sep 4, 1995 13 km SW of Middletown, California M4.8 87 km 7 km
May 12, 2006 7 km W of Cobb, California M4.7 97 km 4 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 131 km 8 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 137 km 9 km
Jan 2, 2025 4 km NW of Cobb, CA M4.7 93 km 1 km
Aug 18, 1999 0 km S of Bolinas, California M4.6 107 km 8 km
Jan 11, 2000 6 km N of Geyserville, California M4.6 104 km 6 km
Feb 18, 2004 4 km WNW of Cobb, California M4.6 94 km 3 km
Sep 19, 2023 15 km SW of Westley, CA M4.5 129 km 4 km
Jan 12, 2014 8 km W of Cobb, California M4.5 97 km 2 km
Sep 25, 2012 3 km N of Talmage, California M4.5 141 km 11 km
Aug 3, 2006 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California M4.5 75 km 9 km
Jun 8, 2024 7 km NW of The Geysers, CA M4.5 97 km 4 km
Sep 19, 1992 7 km NW of Cobb, California M4.5 97 km 3 km
Apr 24, 2007 7 km WSW of Cobb, California M4.5 95 km 2 km
Jun 3, 2023 2km NW of The Geysers, CA M4.5 93 km 4 km
Mar 14, 2013 5 km W of Cobb, California M4.4 94 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 7, 1978 EF2 32 km 1.9 mi 0
Dec 24, 2015 EF1 59 km 6.2 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 81 km 4.0 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 63 km 0.3 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 59 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 18, 2011 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 23, 2010 EF1 69 km 1.6 mi 0
Dec 5, 1998 EF1 83 km 1.5 mi 0
Feb 22, 1996 EF1 85 km 1.0 mi 0
Jan 7, 1993 EF1 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 17, 1992 EF1 93 km 5.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 92 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 2, 1992 EF1 95 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 19, 1988 EF1 54 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 19, 1988 EF1 67 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 22, 1983 EF1 41 km 2.0 mi 0
Feb 27, 1983 EF1 83 km 0.8 mi 0
Jun 28, 1970 EF1 90 km 2.3 mi 0
May 31, 1967 EF1 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 10, 1964 EF1 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 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 98 km
1856 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.6 m — 125 km
1906 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 0.1 m — 114 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 149 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (100 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 100 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HENNESSEY (314,241 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 HENNESSEY 314,241 47 km
2015 ROCKY 96,125 73 km
2018 COUNTY 92,450 38 km
2019 KINCADE 77,780 90 km
2015 VALLEY 77,507 79 km
2020 GLASS 68,020 69 km
2017 NUNS 56,883 68 km
2017 ATLAS 51,664 46 km
2004 RUMSEY 39,335 51 km
1999 SIXTEEN 37,162 58 km
2017 TUBBS 36,981 80 km
1988 49R 36,673 92 km
1988 MILLER 35,750 32 km
2012 SIXTEEN COMPLEX 18,191 71 km
2017 CASCADE 16,155 97 km
2006 ZAM ASSIST 14,404 27 km
2008 WALKER 12,441 86 km
2018 WAVERLY 12,238 100 km
2004 GEYSERS 12,075 88 km
1996 SCOTT 8,828 62 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 47°F (8°C) 4.1 in Wettest
February 51°F (10°C) 3.5 in
March 55°F (13°C) 2.9 in
April 60°F (15°C) 1.0 in
May 66°F (19°C) 0.5 in
June 72°F (22°C) 0.2 in
July 75°F (24°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 74°F (23°C) 0.0 in
September 71°F (22°C) 0.3 in
October 64°F (18°C) 1.0 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
December 45°F (7°C) 2.9 in Coldest

University of California-Davis has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 45°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (0.0").

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