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Weather & Climate in Camp Pendleton South, CA

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

Camp Pendleton South enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 67°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 10.3 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 43 feet.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average60.9°F
13% above US avg
January Average55°F (13°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation43 ft (13 m)
Area4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density2,163/sq mi
Coordinates33.2318°N, 117.3920°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.3"
73% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.28"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.9 / 100
Community Resilience16.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Tsunami Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

8,547 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 139 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 120 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 128 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 128 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 135 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 150 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 140 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 133 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 117 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 115 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 105 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 133 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 88 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 148 km 4 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 149 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 131 km 0 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 133 km 7 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 122 km 7 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 134 km 1 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 150 km 12 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

87 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 14 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 73 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 97 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 68 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 87 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 34 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 47 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 22 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 94 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 75 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 64 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 89 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 81 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 75 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 23 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 60 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 83 km 1.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 47 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 53 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 1 146 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 62 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 117 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (165 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 165 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 67 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 61 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 87 km
2002 PINES 65,407 77 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 44 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 45 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 85 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 85 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 19 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 83 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 69 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 90 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 60 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 83 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 19 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 56 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 53 km
1994 PALM 21,040 93 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 40 km
2013 SILVER 20,863 90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 55°F (13°C) 2.3 in Coldest, Wettest
February 56°F (13°C) 2.2 in
March 56°F (14°C) 2.1 in
April 59°F (15°C) 1.0 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 65°F (18°C) 0.1 in
July 67°F (20°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 71°F (22°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 70°F (21°C) 0.4 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 60°F (16°C) 1.4 in
December 56°F (13°C) 1.7 in

Camp Pendleton South has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 55°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.3") and July the driest (0.0").

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