Weather & Climate in Bell Gardens, CA

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

Bell Gardens enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 12.0 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 121 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	64.9°F
	20% above US avg
January Average	57°F (14°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	121 ft (37 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density	15,716/sq mi
Coordinates	33.9644°N, 118.1544°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Los Angeles County County
Nearest Airport	Los Angeles International (LAX) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.0"

68% below US avg

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.31"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	100.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	55.4 / 100
Community Resilience	13.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6,122 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	45 km	18 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	125 km	4 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	47 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	37 km	8 km
Jul 11, 1992	12km NW of California City, California	M5.7	139 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	107 km	6 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	64 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	122 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	47 km	3 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	147 km	10 km
Nov 27, 1992	10km NNW of Big Bear City, California	M5.3	123 km	0 km
Dec 4, 1992	10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California	M5.3	124 km	1 km
Jun 28, 1992	1km N of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.3	119 km	7 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	68 km	11 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	42 km	12 km
Aug 17, 1992	7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.2	122 km	9 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	59 km	5 km
Mar 29, 2014	2km NW of Brea, CA	M5.1	22 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	107 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	63 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

110 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 54 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2008	EF2	84 km	2.8 mi	0
Mar 1, 1983	EF2	20 km	3.5 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	36 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	21 km	10.0 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	21 km	10.3 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	41 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 22, 2023	EF1	5 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF1	28 km	4.6 mi	0
Jan 9, 1998	EF1	21 km	1.5 mi	0
Dec 21, 1997	EF1	36 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 11, 1997	EF1	44 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1993	EF1	21 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	28 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 20, 1992	EF1	15 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	36 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 16, 1986	EF1	26 km	1.2 mi	0
Oct 1, 1983	EF1	19 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF1	49 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	46 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	45 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	16 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: STATION (165,368 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	STATION	165,368	40 km
2020	BOBCAT	115,728	45 km
2003	SIMI	107,756	72 km
2018	WOOLSEY	97,962	64 km
2003	OLD	90,180	86 km
2003	PIRU	63,920	87 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	67 km
2016	SAND	41,561	51 km
2007	BUCKWEED	41,332	67 km
1993	GREEN MEADOWS	38,115	78 km
2002	WILLIAMS	37,505	43 km
2007	RANCH	37,009	81 km
2016	BLUE CUT	36,856	72 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	91 km
2013	POWERHOUSE	32,329	83 km
2020	LAKE	30,971	89 km
2008	FREEWAY COMPLEX	29,350	37 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	53 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	92 km
2005	TOPANGA	24,133	57 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	57°F (14°C)	3.2 in
February	59°F (15°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
March	60°F (16°C)	2.8 in
April	63°F (17°C)	0.8 in
May	66°F (19°C)	0.2 in
June	70°F (21°C)	0.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	75°F (24°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	73°F (23°C)	0.3 in
October	69°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	62°F (17°C)	1.4 in
December	57°F (14°C)	2.0 in	Coldest

Bell Gardens has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 57°F in December to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.0").

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