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Weather & Climate in Carlsbad, CA

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

Carlsbad enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 324 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 28.6 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 318 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average60.2°F
11% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days324 days/yr

Geography

Elevation318 ft (97 m)
Area37.8 sq mi (97.9 km²)
Population Density3,028/sq mi
Coordinates33.1293°N, 117.2842°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.6"
25% below US avg
Snowfall 0.3"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.52"
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

9,038 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 143 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 127 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 129 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 143 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 138 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 137 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 142 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 136 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 126 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 122 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 119 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 135 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 82 km 12 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 139 km 0 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 135 km 7 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 142 km 1 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 130 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1992 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.2 125 km 9 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 65 km 14 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 80 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

74 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 84 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 83 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 40 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 32 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 9 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 90 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 79 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 11 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 90 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 46 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 98 km 1.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 62 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 40 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 88 km 2.0 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 12 km 0.8 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 76 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF1 78 km 0.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis 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 — 48 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 132 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (156 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 156 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 53 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 49 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 72 km
2002 PINES 65,407 66 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 35 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 39 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 90 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 70 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 33 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 98 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 72 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 90 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 74 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 89 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 33 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 61 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 66 km
1994 PALM 21,040 91 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 54 km
2013 SILVER 20,863 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 52°F (11°C) 2.5 in Coldest, Wettest
February 57°F (14°C) 2.3 in
March 57°F (14°C) 2.3 in
April 60°F (16°C) 1.0 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 69°F (21°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 72°F (22°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 70°F (21°C) 0.3 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 60°F (16°C) 1.6 in
December 56°F (13°C) 1.8 in

Carlsbad has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 52°F in January to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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