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Weather & Climate in California City, CA

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

California City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°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 6.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,497 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,497 ft (761 m)
Area203.6 sq mi (527.4 km²)
Population Density73/sq mi
Coordinates35.1466°N, 117.8693°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyKern County County
Nearest AirportBob Hope (BUR)
71 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.7"
82% below US avg
Snowfall 2.2"
Wettest Month (Jan) 0.83"
Driest Month (May) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.1 / 100
Community Resilience6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

13,359 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M7.1 74 km 8 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 120 km 18 km
Jul 4, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M6.4 70 km 11 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 142 km 4 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 112 km 5 km
Jun 24, 2020 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA M5.8 145 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 98 km 8 km
Sep 20, 1995 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California M5.8 72 km 5 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 19 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 126 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 119 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 144 km 10 km
Jun 4, 2020 17km S of Searles Valley, CA M5.5 66 km 8 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 113 km 3 km
Jul 6, 2019 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA M5.5 85 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2019 20km E of Little Lake, CA M5.4 87 km 7 km
Jul 5, 2019 16km W of Searles Valley, CA M5.4 73 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1995 17km N of Ridgecrest, California M5.4 73 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1996 27km E of Coso Junction, California M5.3 105 km 0 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 126 km 0 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.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 84 km 0.1 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 82 km 3.5 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 88 km 9.0 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 93 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 4, 1976 EF1 64 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 9, 2021 EF0 70 km 1.8 mi 0
Jun 2, 2019 EF0 83 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 16, 2019 EF0 56 km 1.6 mi 0
May 7, 2017 EF0 74 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 18, 2013 EF0 66 km 1.0 mi 0
Sep 1, 2007 EF0 60 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 1, 2007 EF0 46 km 13.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 2005 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 2004 EF0 85 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 28, 2000 EF0 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF0 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 6, 1997 EF0 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF0 94 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1995 EF0 21 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 26, 1991 EF0 56 km 0.1 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 1 143 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 120 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 118 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (141 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 141 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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 94 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 92 km
2000 MANTER 76,158 92 km
2016 ERSKINE 48,066 63 km
2016 SAND 41,561 95 km
2007 BUCKWEED 41,332 88 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 97 km
2008 PIUTE 36,251 58 km
2013 POWERHOUSE 32,329 76 km
2020 LAKE 30,971 81 km
2016 CEDAR 29,191 96 km
2021 FRENCH 27,331 88 km
2011 BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX 27,229 80 km
2011 COMANCHE 25,965 81 km
1984 BODFISH 23,189 67 km
1990 STORMY 23,157 94 km
2002 CURVE 20,565 94 km
1996 MARPLE 20,416 96 km
2002 COPPER 19,048 86 km
2004 PINE 18,309 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 47°F (8°C) 0.8 in Wettest
February 50°F (10°C) 0.7 in
March 54°F (12°C) 0.4 in
April 60°F (16°C) 0.3 in
May 69°F (21°C) 0.0 in Driest
June 78°F (26°C) 0.0 in
July 85°F (29°C) 0.1 in Warmest
August 83°F (28°C) 0.2 in
September 76°F (24°C) 0.2 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.2 in
November 52°F (11°C) 0.7 in
December 45°F (7°C) 0.6 in Coldest

California City has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 45°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.8") and May the driest (0.0").

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