Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in University of California-Merced, CA

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

University of California-Merced enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°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 12.5 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 233 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation233 ft (71 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density1,363/sq mi
Coordinates37.3641°N, 120.4188°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyMerced County County
Nearest AirportMerced Yosemite Regional (MCE)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.5"
67% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.72"
Driest Month (Jul) 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

6,943 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Oct 24, 1990 3 km NE of Mono City, California M5.8 138 km 11 km
May 15, 1999 9 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California M5.5 143 km 3 km
Apr 18, 1990 5 km NNW of Aromas, California M5.4 120 km 5 km
Oct 21, 2012 24 km NE of San Lucas, California M5.3 124 km 9 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km E of Interlaken, California M5.1 121 km 7 km
Aug 12, 1998 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California M5.1 115 km 9 km
Jan 16, 1993 9 km E of Gilroy, California M4.9 100 km 7 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km NNW of Aromas, California M4.9 120 km 6 km
Apr 23, 1995 22 km NNE of Soledad, California M4.9 110 km 7 km
Jun 9, 1998 8 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California M4.9 145 km 5 km
Apr 19, 1996 2 km E of Aromas, California M4.9 119 km 5 km
May 14, 2002 5 km SSW of Gilroy, California M4.9 114 km 7 km
Jul 15, 1998 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California M4.9 144 km 4 km
Nov 30, 1997 2 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California M4.9 134 km 5 km
Nov 22, 1997 3 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California M4.9 134 km 5 km
Dec 31, 1997 9 km ESE of Mammoth Lakes, California M4.8 140 km 4 km
May 15, 1999 11 km WSW of Aspen Springs, California M4.7 141 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1990 4 km N of Aromas, California M4.7 119 km 4 km
May 21, 1996 8 km ESE of East Foothills, California M4.7 115 km 8 km
Aug 11, 1993 14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California M4.7 112 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Sep 5, 2020 EF2 95 km 12.0 mi 0
Mar 22, 1962 EF2 83 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 27, 1953 EF2 60 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 11, 2023 EF1 64 km 0.8 mi 0
Jan 10, 2023 EF1 85 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 17, 2019 EF1 96 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 15, 2015 EF1 39 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 14, 2006 EF1 60 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 16, 2002 EF1 10 km 1.3 mi 0
May 20, 2002 EF1 55 km 2.7 mi 0
Feb 14, 1998 EF1 55 km 3.0 mi 0
Dec 12, 1996 EF1 59 km 0.6 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF1 5 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 14, 1995 EF1 30 km 1.0 mi 0
Feb 19, 1980 EF1 91 km 1.7 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 47 km 2.5 mi 0
Mar 4, 1978 EF1 39 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 1, 1978 EF1 57 km 1.5 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF1 77 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF1 42 km 1.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 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 62 135 km
1865 N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 132 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Mammoth Mountain (126 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Mammoth Mountain Lava dome(s) 3,369 m (11,053 ft) 1260 126 km
Mono-Inyo Craters Lava dome(s) 2,796 m (9,173 ft) 1380 132 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,121 m (6,959 ft) 1790 141 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 97 km
2013 RIM 257,084 73 km
2018 FERGUSON 97,307 62 km
2017 DETWILER 83,297 33 km
1996 ACKERSON COMPLEX (ACKERSON) 58,161 81 km
1987 PAPER 49,296 67 km
1987 LARSON 49,250 59 km
2007 LICK 47,424 91 km
1987 HAMM 39,333 58 km
2006 CANYON 36,851 82 km
2008 TELEGRAPH 33,479 45 km
2022 OAK 19,408 53 km
1992 GULCH 18,019 91 km
1990 A-ROCK 17,706 67 km
1996 ROGGE 17,559 65 km
2003 ANNIE 17,383 75 km
1996 MERCY 16,993 66 km
2024 CORRAL 16,138 97 km
1996 PANOCHE II 14,760 90 km
2001 DARBY 14,734 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 46°F (8°C) 2.7 in Wettest
February 50°F (10°C) 2.7 in
March 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
April 59°F (15°C) 1.3 in
May 67°F (19°C) 0.4 in
June 74°F (24°C) 0.1 in
July 78°F (26°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 79°F (26°C) 0.0 in Warmest
September 74°F (23°C) 0.3 in
October 65°F (19°C) 0.9 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.1 in
December 45°F (7°C) 2.1 in Coldest

University of California-Merced has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 45°F in December to 79°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.7") and July the driest (0.0").

View full profile of University of California-Merced, CA →