Weather & Climate in Canyon Lake, CA

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

Canyon Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54. 33% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,425 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Geography

Elevation1,425 ft (434 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²)
Population Density2,855/sq mi
Coordinates33.6883°N, 117.2635°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Bernardino International (SBD)
28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.7"
69% below US avg
Snowfall 0.2"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.97"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.06"

Air Quality

AQI Median54.0
RatingModerate
Good Days %32.5%
Unhealthy Days16

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

13,096 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 95 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 137 km 14 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 131 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 70 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 93 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 131 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 93 km 8 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 142 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 93 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 99 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 92 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 65 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 150 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 65 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 65 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 91 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 79 km 12 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 132 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 100 km 4 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 125 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

107 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 16 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 21 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 87 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 61 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 87 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 80 km 4.6 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 96 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 25 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 85 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 71 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 84 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 68 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 52 km 0.2 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 93 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 67 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 69 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 63 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 61 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 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 1 133 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m - 110 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 131 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 90 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (162 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 162 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 95 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 82 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 94 km
2003 OLD 90,180 62 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 76 km
2002 PINES 65,407 88 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 75 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 63 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 59 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 54 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 40 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 74 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 74 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 37 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 53 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 69 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 52 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 37 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 58 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 54°F (12°C) 3.0 in Wettest
February 55°F (13°C) 2.9 in
March 59°F (15°C) 1.5 in
April 63°F (17°C) 0.5 in
May 68°F (20°C) 0.2 in
June 74°F (24°C) 0.1 in
July 80°F (27°C) 0.2 in
August 81°F (27°C) 0.1 in Warmest, Driest
September 77°F (25°C) 0.2 in
October 69°F (20°C) 0.5 in
November 60°F (15°C) 0.6 in
December 53°F (11°C) 2.0 in Coldest

Canyon Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 53°F in December to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.0") and August the driest (0.1").

View full profile of Canyon Lake, CA →