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Weather & Climate in Costa Mesa, CA

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

Costa Mesa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 68°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 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 72 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average61.0°F
13% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation72 ft (22 m)
Area15.8 sq mi (40.9 km²)
Population Density6,992/sq mi
Coordinates33.6659°N, 117.9123°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.5"
9% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.76"
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

7,618 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 149 km 0 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 84 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 117 km 4 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 86 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 68 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 148 km -1 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 148 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 103 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 103 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 112 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 57 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 146 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 136 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 149 km 4 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 120 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 113 km 7 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 150 km 7 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 122 km 1 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 107 km 11 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 82 km 12 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

111 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 66 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 55 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 30 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 76 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 2 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 44 km 10.3 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 44 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 42 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 20 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 72 km 2.8 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 89 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 27 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 8 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 9 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 24 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 12 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 18 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 54 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 8 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 90 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 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 79 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 126 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 84 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 51 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 76 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 73 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 98 km
2003 OLD 90,180 87 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 71 km
2016 SAND 41,561 90 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 98 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 60 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 82 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 52 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 32 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 97 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 24 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 89 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 54 km
2005 TOPANGA 24,133 95 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 82 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 41 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 100 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 39 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 54°F (12°C) 2.8 in Coldest, Wettest
February 57°F (14°C) 2.7 in
March 58°F (14°C) 2.4 in
April 60°F (16°C) 0.7 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.2 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 70°F (21°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 69°F (21°C) 0.3 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.3 in
November 60°F (16°C) 1.3 in
December 56°F (13°C) 1.8 in

Costa Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 54°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.0").

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