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Weather & Climate in Alpine, CA

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

Alpine enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 73°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 16.1 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 2,111 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average62.6°F
16% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,111 ft (643 m)
Area26.8 sq mi (69.4 km²)
Population Density577/sq mi
Coordinates32.8425°N, 116.7559°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Diego County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.1"
58% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 3.11"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.8 / 100
Community Resilience8.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

11,792 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 131 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 147 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 80 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 148 km 6 km
Feb 22, 2002 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.7 147 km 7 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 144 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 147 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 145 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 69 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 115 km 8 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 114 km 8 km
Dec 3, 1991 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 149 km 6 km
Mar 23, 1994 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 134 km 5 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 141 km 7 km
Apr 4, 2010 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX M5.3 114 km 10 km
Jun 5, 2021 11km W of Calipatria, CA M5.3 110 km 6 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 26 km 14 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 79 km 13 km
Jun 10, 2016 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.2 72 km 12 km
Feb 9, 2008 8km W of Delta, B.C., MX M5.1 149 km 6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 81 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 27 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 56 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 52 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 34 km 1.0 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 71 km 0.8 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 38 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 22, 2007 EF0 54 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 33 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 10, 2006 EF0 56 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2005 EF0 38 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 74 km 2.2 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 75 km 2.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 2005 EF0 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 17, 2004 EF0 71 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 12, 1999 EF0 37 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 8, 1998 EF0 53 km 3.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 44 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (113 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 113 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CEDAR (268,362 acres, 2003).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2003 CEDAR 268,362 11 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 26 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 22 km
2002 PINES 65,407 38 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 43 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 53 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 26 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 89 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 93 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 100 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 88 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 92 km
1994 PALM 21,040 91 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 63 km
2007 AMMO FIRE 19,213 87 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 36 km
2006 HORSE 16,659 19 km
2020 VALLEY 16,517 13 km
1986 UNNAMED 16,390 94 km
1989 VAIL 15,632 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 53°F (12°C) 3.1 in Wettest
February 53°F (12°C) 2.9 in
March 54°F (12°C) 3.0 in
April 58°F (15°C) 1.3 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.4 in
June 69°F (21°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 73°F (23°C) 0.2 in
August 77°F (25°C) 0.3 in Warmest
September 74°F (23°C) 0.4 in
October 67°F (19°C) 0.6 in
November 58°F (15°C) 1.9 in
December 53°F (12°C) 2.3 in Coldest

Alpine has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 53°F in December to 77°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.1") and June the driest (0.1").

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