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Weather & Climate in Barstow, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Barstow enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 87°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 5.0 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 2,653 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
87°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 65.7°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,653 ft (809 m) |
| Area | 41.4 sq mi (107.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 610/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.8670°N, 117.0430°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Bernardino County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Bernardino International (SBD) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Very High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15,901 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake | M7.3 | 93 km | 0 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake | M7.1 | 77 km | 14 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 102 km | 11 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 76 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 121 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.8 | 100 km | -1 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA | M5.8 | 72 km | 14 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California | M5.7 | 106 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.7 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 70 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 90 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.5 | 101 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
32 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 7, 1982 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1954 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2008 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1997 | EF1 | 31 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1997 | EF1 | 32 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1997 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1976 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 1974 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2021 | EF0 | 76 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2019 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2017 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2015 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2013 | EF0 | 29 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2005 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 2005 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2004 | EF0 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2004 | EF0 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2000 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1997 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1995 | EF0 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 129 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OLD (90,180 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 72 km |
| 2006 | MILLARD | 86,585 | 92 km |
| 1999 | WILLOW | 63,525 | 58 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 85 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 74 km |
| 2020 | APPLE | 32,374 | 94 km |
| 2015 | LAKE | 30,421 | 84 km |
| 2020 | EL DORADO | 22,300 | 88 km |
| 2002 | CURVE | 20,565 | 94 km |
| 1997 | NARROWS | 18,248 | 85 km |
| 2007 | BUTLER 2 | 14,661 | 64 km |
| 2007 | SLIDE | 13,190 | 72 km |
| 1994 | DEVILS | 12,778 | 59 km |
| 2003 | PADUA | 10,577 | 97 km |
| 1988 | TEXAS | 10,515 | 87 km |
| 2016 | PILOT | 8,267 | 65 km |
| 1993 | OPAL 2 | 8,223 | 36 km |
| 2009 | SHEEP | 7,451 | 77 km |
| 2002 | BLUECUT | 7,199 | 72 km |
| 2002 | LOUISIANA | 6,651 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| June | 80°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 87°F (31°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Barstow has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 46°F in December to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 3.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.6") and June the driest (0.0").