Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Colton, CA

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

Colton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. 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 12.9 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 942 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average65.2°F
21% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation942 ft (287 m)
Area16.0 sq mi (41.5 km²)
Population Density3,442/sq mi
Coordinates34.0545°N, 117.3250°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Bernardino International (SBD)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.9"
66% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 2.64"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

13,635 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 83 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 115 km 14 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 113 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 49 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 94 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 110 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 66 km 8 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 118 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 85 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 93 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 85 km 10 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 145 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 33 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 130 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 45 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 36 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 83 km 8 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 109 km 5 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 106 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 81 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

127 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 61 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 21 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 97 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 86 km 10.0 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 90 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 71 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 95 km 10.3 mi 0
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 74 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 83 km 4.6 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 75 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 66 km 2.8 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 84 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 76 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 62 km 0.2 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 62 km 9.0 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 65 km 3.5 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 53 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 61 km 1.0 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 1 122 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 113 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 72 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (185 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 185 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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 81 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 64 km
2003 OLD 90,180 22 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 65 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 38 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 20 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 92 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 46 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 44 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 34 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 75 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 42 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 53 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 42 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 60 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 73 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 48 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 35 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 73 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
February 55°F (13°C) 2.6 in Wettest
March 57°F (14°C) 2.4 in
April 62°F (16°C) 0.8 in
May 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
June 73°F (23°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 79°F (26°C) 0.1 in Warmest
August 79°F (26°C) 0.2 in
September 75°F (24°C) 0.4 in
October 68°F (20°C) 0.4 in
November 59°F (15°C) 1.1 in
December 53°F (12°C) 1.5 in Coldest

Colton has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 53°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.6") and June the driest (0.1").

View full profile of Colton, CA →