Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bonita enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 70°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 9.2 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 257 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
63.3°F
17% above US avg
January Average
57°F (14°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
257 ft (78 m)
Area
5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density
2,657/sq mi
Coordinates
32.6732°N, 117.0061°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
San Diego County County
Nearest Airport
San Diego International (SAN) 11 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall9.2"
76% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar)2.40"
Driest Month (Jul)0.04"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very High
Risk Score
99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
24.8 / 100
Community Resilience
8.3 / 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
7,285 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.7.
Jun 15, 2010
8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.7
103 km
9 km
Jul 7, 2010
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.4
96 km
12 km
Aug 26, 2012
4km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.4
142 km
8 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.3
141 km
8 km
Mar 23, 1994
35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX
M5.3
129 km
5 km
Apr 4, 2010
15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX
M5.3
131 km
10 km
Jun 5, 2021
11km W of Calipatria, CA
M5.3
138 km
6 km
Apr 14, 2025
5 km S of Julian, CA
M5.2
56 km
14 km
Jun 12, 2005
10km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.2
104 km
13 km
Jun 10, 2016
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.2
99 km
12 km
Oct 31, 2001
16km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.0
104 km
14 km
Jun 15, 2004
67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA
M5.0
93 km
10 km
Apr 5, 2010
20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.0
112 km
1 km
Aug 27, 2012
5km NNE of Brawley, CA
M4.9
144 km
4 km
Apr 5, 2010
19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M4.9
112 km
14 km
May 22, 2010
17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX
M4.9
117 km
8 km
Jul 26, 1997
16km N of Borrego Springs, California
M4.9
101 km
11 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NW of Brawley, CA
M4.9
140 km
4 km
Apr 4, 2020
17km ESE of Anza, CA
M4.9
102 km
10 km
Jun 29, 1992
13km ENE of Thousand Palms, CA
M4.8
150 km
1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005
EF1
91 km
2.8 mi
0
Nov 10, 2000
EF1
31 km
0.4 mi
0
Jan 29, 1998
EF1
50 km
0.5 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF1
55 km
0.2 mi
0
Mar 19, 1991
EF1
12 km
1.0 mi
0
Feb 20, 1980
EF1
22 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 18, 1978
EF1
68 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 8, 1961
EF1
64 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 13, 1956
EF1
8 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 22, 2007
EF0
47 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 11, 2006
EF0
48 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 10, 2006
EF0
50 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 23, 2005
EF0
8 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF0
84 km
2.2 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF0
80 km
2.5 mi
0
Oct 17, 2004
EF0
68 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 12, 1999
EF0
67 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 8, 1998
EF0
47 km
3.0 mi
0
May 20, 1997
EF0
94 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 7, 1992
EF0
64 km
0.1 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
—
18 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Salton Buttes (142 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Salton Buttes
Lava dome(s)
-40 m (-131 ft)
210
142 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
37 km
2007
WITCH
167,551
50 km
2007
HARRIS
90,443
22 km
2002
PINES
65,407
66 km
2003
PARADISE
55,995
60 km
2007
POOMACHA
47,496
70 km
2003
MINE/OTAY
37,232
16 km
2008
YELLOW
33,232
90 km
2020
INDIA
24,193
90 km
2003
COYOTE
19,215
89 km
2007
AMMO FIRE
19,213
86 km
1993
GUEJITO
17,141
50 km
2006
HORSE
16,659
37 km
2020
VALLEY
16,517
30 km
1986
UNNAMED
16,390
95 km
1989
VAIL
15,632
83 km
2014
PULGAS
14,937
80 km
2011
EAGLE
14,743
87 km
1996
OTAY 322
12,238
15 km
2012
WILSON
12,048
77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
57°F (14°C)
2.3 in
Coldest
February
58°F (15°C)
2.2 in
March
59°F (15°C)
2.4 in
Wettest
April
62°F (17°C)
0.9 in
May
65°F (18°C)
0.2 in
June
68°F (20°C)
0.1 in
July
70°F (21°C)
0.0 in
Driest
August
74°F (23°C)
0.1 in
Warmest
September
72°F (22°C)
0.2 in
October
68°F (20°C)
0.4 in
November
62°F (17°C)
1.3 in
December
57°F (14°C)
1.5 in
Bonita has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 57°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.0").