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Weather & Climate in Big Bear Lake, CA

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

Big Bear Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 65°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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 58.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 6,832 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation6,832 ft (2,082 m)
Area6.3 sq mi (16.2 km²)
Population Density806/sq mi
Coordinates34.2429°N, 116.8939°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Bernardino County County
Nearest AirportSan Bernardino International (SBD)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.0"
47% below US avg
Snowfall 58.6"
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.31"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.2 / 100
Community Resilience20.1 / 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

12,660 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 42 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 70 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 8 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 62 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 147 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 101 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 46 km -1 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 74 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 54 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 48 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 13 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 10 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 75 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 45 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 100 km 12 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 65 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 37 km 4 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 63 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 41 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 11 km 0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 52 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 48 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 30 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 89 km 2.8 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 48 km 9.0 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 53 km 3.5 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 42 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 37 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 4, 1976 EF1 77 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 22, 1974 EF1 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 55 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 25, 1965 EF1 82 km 2.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2022 EF0 67 km 1.6 mi 0
Sep 9, 2021 EF0 85 km 1.8 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 78 km 0.2 mi 0
May 7, 2017 EF0 61 km 0.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 65 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 2015 EF0 46 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 18, 2013 EF0 69 km 1.0 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 — — 112 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (166 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 166 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BOBCAT (115,728 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 96 km
2003 OLD 90,180 36 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 29 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 23 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 54 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 43 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 81 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 57 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 24 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 16 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 87 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 63 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 61 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 92 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 40 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 69 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 80 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 19 km
1995 VERBENIA 21,601 34 km
1994 PALM 21,040 75 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 35°F (2°C) 5.3 in Coldest, Wettest
February 36°F (2°C) 5.2 in
March 39°F (4°C) 4.9 in
April 44°F (7°C) 2.4 in
May 51°F (10°C) 0.8 in
June 60°F (15°C) 0.2 in Driest
July 65°F (18°C) 0.6 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 1.0 in
September 59°F (15°C) 1.1 in
October 51°F (10°C) 1.1 in
November 42°F (6°C) 3.7 in
December 36°F (2°C) 4.5 in

Big Bear Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 35°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.3") and June the driest (0.2").

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