Weather & Climate in Watsonville, CA

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

Watsonville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 323 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 22.7 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 72 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	57.6°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	51°F (11°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	72 ft (22 m)
Area	6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²)
Population Density	7,654/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9236°N, 121.7724°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Benito County County
Nearest Airport	Monterey Regional (MRY) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.7"

40% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 4.69"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,678 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.

Apr 18, 1990	5 km NNW of Aromas, California	M5.4	10 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2012	24 km NE of San Lucas, California	M5.3	107 km	9 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	130 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km E of Interlaken, California	M5.1	9 km	7 km
Aug 12, 1998	10 km SW of Ridgemark, California	M5.1	34 km	9 km
Jan 16, 1993	9 km E of Gilroy, California	M4.9	29 km	7 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km NNW of Aromas, California	M4.9	10 km	6 km
Apr 19, 1996	2 km E of Aromas, California	M4.9	15 km	5 km
Apr 23, 1995	22 km NNE of Soledad, California	M4.9	62 km	7 km
May 14, 2002	5 km SSW of Gilroy, California	M4.9	16 km	7 km
Feb 4, 1991	33 km SE of Big Sur, California	M4.7	101 km	9 km
Apr 18, 1990	4 km N of Aromas, California	M4.7	12 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	49 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	44 km	9 km
Aug 27, 2011	21 km NE of Soledad, California	M4.6	65 km	8 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	136 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1991	1 km NNE of Interlaken, California	M4.6	6 km	15 km
Sep 19, 2023	15 km SW of Westley, CA	M4.5	71 km	4 km
Mar 17, 2004	9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California	M4.5	147 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2011	9 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, California	M4.5	30 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1998	EF2	55 km	0.6 mi	0
Mar 11, 1985	EF2	34 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 11, 1951	EF2	58 km	5.7 mi	0
Dec 14, 2024	EF1	27 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	99 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 20, 2001	EF1	5 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF1	59 km	0.3 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	37 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 6, 1992	EF1	44 km	7.0 mi	0
Jan 14, 1980	EF1	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 4, 1978	EF1	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1965	EF1	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	22 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 2019	EF0	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 2016	EF0	81 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 6, 2016	EF0	35 km	0.6 mi	0
Dec 22, 2012	EF0	7 km	1.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2007	EF0	18 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	91 km
1989	N. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.0 m	62	16 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	79 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	108 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	33 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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	68 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX	164,537	81 km
2016	SOBERANES	131,921	67 km
2020	DOLAN	124,382	98 km
2020	CZU AUG LIGHTNING	85,894	47 km
2008	BASIN COMPLEX (INDIANS)	59,095	94 km
1985	GORDA-RAT	52,474	99 km
2020	RIVER	51,582	52 km
2007	LICK	47,424	45 km
2006	CANYON	36,851	62 km
1999	KIRK COMPLEX (FIVE)	36,162	73 km
2003	ANNIE	17,383	58 km
1996	MERCY	16,993	85 km
2024	CORRAL	16,138	84 km
1984	BONANZA	12,105	77 km
2009	CORRAL	12,006	79 km
1985	LEXINGTON	11,550	28 km
2009	LOCKHEED	8,287	43 km
2003	BIRD	7,727	80 km
1985	PONOCHE 2	7,508	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	51°F (11°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
February	52°F (11°C)	3.9 in
March	54°F (12°C)	3.6 in
April	56°F (14°C)	1.6 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.4 in
June	62°F (17°C)	0.1 in
July	63°F (17°C)	0.1 in
August	64°F (18°C)	0.1 in	Warmest, Driest
September	64°F (18°C)	0.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
November	55°F (13°C)	3.2 in
December	50°F (10°C)	3.5 in	Coldest

Watsonville has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 50°F in December to 64°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 22.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (0.1").

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