Weather & Climate in Cherry Valley, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cherry Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 12% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,974 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,974 ft (906 m) |
| Area | 8.0 sq mi (20.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 912/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9796°N, 116.9694°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Riverside County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Bernardino International (SBD) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 87.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 11.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 147 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Very High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13,158 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake | M7.3 | 55 km | 0 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake | M7.1 | 95 km | 14 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 147 km | 18 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 28 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 60 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 100 km | 8 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA | M5.8 | 100 km | 14 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.8 | 54 km | -1 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California | M5.7 | 62 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.7 | 54 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 30 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 23 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 70 km | 3 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.5 | 52 km | 8 km |
| Jul 5, 1992 | 21km SW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 78 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.4 | 58 km | 4 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 32km SSW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 84 km | 1 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 24km N of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 61 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
93 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 17 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 28 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1982 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1954 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2015 | EF1 | 92 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2008 | EF1 | 54 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 59 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1997 | EF1 | 72 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1997 | EF1 | 76 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1997 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1996 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1986 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1979 | EF1 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 1978 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 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 | - | 144 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 147 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 105 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (153 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 153 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BOBCAT (115,728 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 97 km |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 42 km |
| 2006 | MILLARD | 86,585 | 36 km |
| 2002 | PINES | 65,407 | 100 km |
| 1999 | WILLOW | 63,525 | 43 km |
| 2003 | PARADISE | 55,995 | 86 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 52 km |
| 2007 | POOMACHA | 47,496 | 76 km |
| 2006 | ESPERANZA | 40,566 | 16 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 78 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 63 km |
| 2008 | YELLOW | 33,232 | 79 km |
| 2020 | APPLE | 32,374 | 11 km |
| 2015 | LAKE | 30,421 | 27 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 73 km |
| 2022 | FAIRVIEW | 28,680 | 35 km |
| 2013 | MOUNTAIN | 28,202 | 41 km |
| 2007 | SANTIAGO | 27,605 | 70 km |
| 1998 | EDNA | 27,561 | 10 km |
| 2020 | INDIA | 24,193 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 51°F (11°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
Cherry Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 51°F in December to 78°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.7 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.4") and June the driest (0.1").