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Weather & Climate in Cerritos, CA

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

Cerritos enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°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 12.0 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 59 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation59 ft (18 m)
Area8.7 sq mi (22.6 km²)
Population Density5,537/sq mi
Coordinates33.8677°N, 118.0695°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.0"
68% below US avg
Wettest Month (Feb) 3.31"
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

6,126 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 58 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 120 km 4 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 60 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 45 km 8 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 149 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 104 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 77 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 117 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 46 km 3 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 120 km 0 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 121 km 1 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 115 km 7 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 55 km 12 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 81 km 11 km
Aug 17, 1992 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.2 117 km 9 km
Jan 17, 1994 9km N of Chatsworth, California M5.2 73 km 5 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 144 km 13 km
Mar 29, 2014 2km NW of Brea, CA M5.1 16 km 5 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 119 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M5.1 76 km 11 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

110 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 54 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 76 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 30 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 49 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 16 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 24 km 10.3 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 28 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 22 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 15 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 18 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 94 km 2.8 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 14 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 23 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 31 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 11 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 15 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 14 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 28 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 23 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 14 km 1.2 mi 0
Oct 1, 1983 EF1 27 km 0.3 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 56 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 58 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 26 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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 51 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 52 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 84 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 75 km
2003 OLD 90,180 84 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 100 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 65 km
2016 SAND 41,561 64 km
2007 BUCKWEED 41,332 80 km
1993 GREEN MEADOWS 38,115 88 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 45 km
2007 RANCH 37,009 94 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 73 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 78 km
2013 POWERHOUSE 32,329 96 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 30 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 41 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 99 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 79 km
2005 TOPANGA 24,133 70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 57°F (14°C) 3.2 in
February 59°F (15°C) 3.3 in Wettest
March 60°F (16°C) 2.8 in
April 63°F (17°C) 0.8 in
May 66°F (19°C) 0.2 in
June 70°F (21°C) 0.1 in
July 73°F (23°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 75°F (24°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 73°F (23°C) 0.3 in
October 69°F (20°C) 0.4 in
November 62°F (17°C) 1.4 in
December 57°F (14°C) 2.0 in Coldest

Cerritos has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 57°F in December to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.0").

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