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Weather & Climate in Wasco, CA

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

Wasco enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°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 7.1 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 307 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation307 ft (94 m)
Area9.4 sq mi (24.4 km²)
Population Density2,793/sq mi
Coordinates35.5938°N, 119.3671°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyKern County County
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP)
75 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.1"
81% below US avg
Snowfall 0.2"
Wettest Month (Mar) 1.38"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.1 / 100
Community Resilience6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3,967 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake M6.0 94 km 8 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 125 km 10 km
Jul 6, 2019 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA M5.5 150 km 5 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 148 km 11 km
Aug 7, 2024 24 km SW of Lamont, CA M5.2 59 km 12 km
May 28, 1993 21km SW of Lamont, California M5.2 55 km 21 km
Jul 17, 2001 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA M5.2 143 km 2 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 133 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 8km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 148 km 14 km
Sep 29, 2004 25km SSW of Bodfish, California M5.0 71 km 3 km
Jun 26, 1995 11km SW of Valencia, California M5.0 148 km 13 km
Sep 29, 2004 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M5.0 110 km 11 km
Jul 17, 2001 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA M4.9 142 km -1 km
Dec 20, 1994 3 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 105 km 8 km
Sep 30, 2004 13 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.9 114 km 10 km
Feb 24, 2016 6km SSW of Wasco, CA M4.9 6 km 22 km
Nov 14, 1993 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M4.8 110 km 11 km
May 29, 2013 6km W of Isla Vista, CA M4.8 141 km 7 km
Sep 28, 2004 12 km SE of Parkfield, California M4.7 92 km 6 km
Jul 18, 2019 9km NE of Coso Junction, CA M4.6 145 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 5, 1980 EF2 91 km 15.0 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF1 96 km 0.8 mi 0
Mar 17, 1991 EF1 53 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 28, 1991 EF1 84 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 1, 1964 EF1 35 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 2, 2019 EF0 63 km 0.2 mi 0
May 19, 2019 EF0 88 km 0.4 mi 0
Mar 22, 2018 EF0 100 km 1.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2015 EF0 40 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 2012 EF0 58 km 0.3 mi 0
Feb 27, 2010 EF0 34 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 27, 2008 EF0 82 km 2.0 mi 0
Oct 20, 2004 EF0 99 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 3, 1999 EF0 45 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 1997 EF0 10 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 17, 1997 EF0 42 km 0.3 mi 0
Jan 20, 1997 EF0 84 km 3.0 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF0 51 km 2.0 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF0 96 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 1, 1996 EF0 64 km 0.3 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
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 132 km
1901 MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 112 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (127 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 127 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WINDY (97,831 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 WINDY 97,831 81 km
1996 FIFTY-EIGHT 94,704 89 km
2009 LA BREA 84,213 95 km
1997 LOGAN 49,627 86 km
2017 GARZA 48,404 93 km
2016 ERSKINE 48,066 94 km
1997 LOKERN 46,139 33 km
2017 PIER 36,626 84 km
2008 PIUTE 36,251 94 km
2016 CEDAR 29,191 75 km
2021 FRENCH 27,331 73 km
2011 BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX 27,229 65 km
2011 COMANCHE 25,965 77 km
1984 BODFISH 23,189 89 km
1990 STORMY 23,157 80 km
1993 ORCHARD 22,309 66 km
1996 SKYLINE 21,694 76 km
2010 BULL 17,238 86 km
1999 SPANISH 14,518 85 km
2006 PERKINS 14,342 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 49°F (9°C) 1.3 in
February 52°F (11°C) 1.3 in
March 56°F (13°C) 1.4 in Wettest
April 61°F (16°C) 0.6 in
May 68°F (20°C) 0.2 in
June 75°F (24°C) 0.1 in
July 84°F (29°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 79°F (26°C) 0.0 in
September 73°F (23°C) 0.2 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.3 in
November 53°F (12°C) 0.7 in
December 45°F (7°C) 0.9 in Coldest

Wasco has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 45°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.0").

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