Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Del Mar enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°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 11.5 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 292 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average
57°F (14°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
292 ft (89 m)
Area
1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density
2,280/sq mi
Coordinates
32.9639°N, 117.2598°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
San Diego County County
Nearest Airport
San Diego International (SAN) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall11.5"
70% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan)2.48"
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
8,255 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M6.3.
Jun 28, 1992
The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake
M6.3
144 km
4 km
Apr 23, 1992
The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake
M6.1
141 km
12 km
Jun 15, 2010
8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.7
129 km
9 km
Jun 29, 1992
3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California
M5.7
150 km
10 km
Oct 16, 1999
7km ENE of Running Springs, CA
M5.6
143 km
6 km
Jun 28, 1992
11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California
M5.5
139 km
10 km
Feb 28, 1990
The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake
M5.5
137 km
3 km
Jun 28, 1992
0km E of Yucca Valley, CA
M5.5
150 km
8 km
Jul 7, 2010
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.4
89 km
12 km
Sep 15, 1992
9km SE of Yucca Valley, California
M5.3
148 km
7 km
Jun 28, 1992
1km N of Big Bear Lake, California
M5.3
147 km
7 km
Aug 17, 1992
7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California
M5.2
142 km
9 km
Apr 14, 2025
5 km S of Julian, CA
M5.2
63 km
14 km
Jun 12, 2005
10km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.2
90 km
13 km
Jun 10, 2016
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.2
92 km
12 km
Mar 29, 2014
2km NW of Brea, CA
M5.1
124 km
5 km
Oct 31, 2001
16km ESE of Anza, CA
M5.0
92 km
14 km
Jun 28, 1992
1km SSE of Yucca Valley, California
M5.0
149 km
6 km
Aug 21, 1993
12km S of Joshua Tree, California
M5.0
147 km
8 km
Jun 28, 1992
7km SSW of Yucca Valley, California
M5.0
142 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
56 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 8 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1966
EF2
98 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF1
58 km
2.8 mi
0
Nov 10, 2000
EF1
22 km
0.4 mi
0
Jan 29, 1998
EF1
10 km
0.5 mi
0
Nov 11, 1997
EF1
95 km
0.2 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF1
22 km
0.2 mi
0
Mar 19, 1991
EF1
28 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 9, 1982
EF1
78 km
0.2 mi
0
Feb 20, 1980
EF1
21 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 18, 1978
EF1
29 km
0.8 mi
0
Jul 20, 1974
EF1
92 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 7, 1966
EF1
93 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 8, 1965
EF1
97 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 8, 1961
EF1
24 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 1, 1958
EF1
78 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 13, 1956
EF1
41 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 8, 2022
EF0
82 km
1.6 mi
0
Aug 16, 2018
EF0
85 km
0.2 mi
0
Oct 17, 2015
EF0
82 km
0.0 mi
0
Sep 9, 2012
EF0
91 km
0.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 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
-
30 km
1855
S. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
-
-
148 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Salton Buttes (155 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Salton Buttes
Lava dome(s)
-40 m (-131 ft)
210
155 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
46 km
2007
WITCH
167,551
48 km
2007
HARRIS
90,443
58 km
2002
PINES
65,407
67 km
2003
PARADISE
55,995
42 km
2007
POOMACHA
47,496
49 km
2003
MINE/OTAY
37,232
54 km
2008
YELLOW
33,232
51 km
2022
FAIRVIEW
28,680
87 km
2007
SANTIAGO
27,605
92 km
2020
INDIA
24,193
51 km
1993
CALIFORNIA
23,899
78 km
2018
HOLY
22,845
85 km
1993
ORTEGA
20,912
72 km
2003
COYOTE
19,215
79 km
2007
AMMO FIRE
19,213
46 km
2004
CERRITO
18,605
88 km
1993
GUEJITO
17,141
34 km
2006
HORSE
16,659
66 km
2020
VALLEY
16,517
59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
57°F (14°C)
2.5 in
Wettest
February
57°F (14°C)
2.2 in
March
58°F (14°C)
2.3 in
April
60°F (16°C)
0.9 in
May
63°F (17°C)
0.3 in
June
66°F (19°C)
0.1 in
July
72°F (22°C)
0.0 in
Warmest, Driest
August
71°F (22°C)
0.1 in
September
70°F (21°C)
0.3 in
October
66°F (19°C)
0.4 in
November
60°F (16°C)
1.5 in
December
56°F (13°C)
1.7 in
Coldest
Del Mar has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 56°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").