Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chula Vista enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 71°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 25.9 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 443 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (12°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
61.7°F
14% above US avg
January Average
53°F (12°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
324 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
443 ft (135 m)
Area
52.1 sq mi (134.9 km²)
Population Density
5,540/sq mi
Coordinates
32.6277°N, 117.0152°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
San Diego County County
Nearest Airport
San Diego International (SAN) 13 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall25.9"
32% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar)2.17"
Driest Month (Jul)0.04"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very High
Risk Score
99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
24.8 / 100
Community Resilience
8.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively High
Wildfire
Very High
Flood
Very High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Relatively High
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
Tsunami
Relatively Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,009 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.7.
Jun 15, 2010
8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.7
104 km
9 km
Jul 7, 2010
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.4
101 km
12 km
Aug 26, 2012
4km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.4
145 km
8 km
Dec 3, 1991
71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX
M5.3
148 km
6 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.3
143 km
8 km
Mar 23, 1994
35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX
M5.3
126 km
5 km
Apr 4, 2010
15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX
M5.3
131 km
10 km
Jun 5, 2021
11km W of Calipatria, CA
M5.3
141 km
6 km
Apr 14, 2025
5 km S of Julian, CA
M5.2
60 km
14 km
Jun 12, 2005
10km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.2
109 km
13 km
Jun 10, 2016
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.2
104 km
12 km
Oct 31, 2001
16km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.0
109 km
14 km
Jun 15, 2004
67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA
M5.0
90 km
10 km
Apr 5, 2010
20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.0
113 km
1 km
Apr 5, 2010
19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M4.9
113 km
14 km
Aug 27, 2012
5km NNE of Brawley, CA
M4.9
146 km
4 km
May 22, 2010
17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX
M4.9
118 km
8 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NW of Brawley, CA
M4.9
143 km
4 km
Jul 26, 1997
16km N of Borrego Springs, California
M4.9
106 km
11 km
Apr 4, 2020
17km ESE of Anza, CA
M4.9
107 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005
EF1
96 km
2.8 mi
0
Nov 10, 2000
EF1
36 km
0.4 mi
0
Jan 29, 1998
EF1
54 km
0.5 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF1
60 km
0.2 mi
0
Mar 19, 1991
EF1
16 km
1.0 mi
0
Feb 20, 1980
EF1
24 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 18, 1978
EF1
72 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 8, 1961
EF1
68 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 13, 1956
EF1
6 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 22, 2007
EF0
51 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 11, 2006
EF0
53 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 10, 2006
EF0
54 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 23, 2005
EF0
6 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF0
89 km
2.2 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF0
84 km
2.5 mi
0
Oct 17, 2004
EF0
72 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 12, 1999
EF0
71 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 8, 1998
EF0
51 km
3.0 mi
0
May 20, 1997
EF0
98 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 7, 1992
EF0
68 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami 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
-
19 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Salton Buttes (145 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Salton Buttes
Lava dome(s)
-40 m (-131 ft)
210
145 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
42 km
2007
WITCH
167,551
55 km
2007
HARRIS
90,443
23 km
2002
PINES
65,407
71 km
2003
PARADISE
55,995
65 km
2007
POOMACHA
47,496
75 km
2003
MINE/OTAY
37,232
16 km
2008
YELLOW
33,232
94 km
2020
INDIA
24,193
94 km
2003
COYOTE
19,215
94 km
2007
AMMO FIRE
19,213
90 km
1993
GUEJITO
17,141
55 km
2006
HORSE
16,659
38 km
2020
VALLEY
16,517
33 km
1986
UNNAMED
16,390
99 km
1989
VAIL
15,632
88 km
2014
PULGAS
14,937
85 km
2011
EAGLE
14,743
91 km
1996
OTAY 322
12,238
14 km
2012
WILSON
12,048
81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
53°F (12°C)
2.1 in
Coldest
February
58°F (14°C)
2.1 in
March
59°F (15°C)
2.2 in
Wettest
April
62°F (16°C)
0.7 in
May
64°F (18°C)
0.2 in
June
67°F (20°C)
0.1 in
July
71°F (22°C)
0.0 in
Driest
August
73°F (23°C)
0.1 in
Warmest
September
71°F (22°C)
0.2 in
October
67°F (20°C)
0.4 in
November
61°F (16°C)
1.1 in
December
57°F (14°C)
1.4 in
Chula Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 53°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.0").