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Weather & Climate in Descanso, CA

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

Descanso experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 71°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 30.3 inches. The area receives 19.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,575 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average54.0°F
0% below US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,575 ft (1,090 m)
Area19.2 sq mi (49.8 km²)
Population Density87/sq mi
Coordinates32.8696°N, 116.6279°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Diego County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.3"
20% below US avg
Snowfall 19.9"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.00"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.8 / 100
Community Resilience8.3 / 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

13,208 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
Apr 4, 2010 The 2010 Sierra El Mayor, B.C., Mexico Earthquake M7.2 141 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 149 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 125 km 12 km
Dec 30, 2009 12km N of Delta, B.C., MX M5.8 142 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 142 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 69 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 142 km 6 km
Feb 22, 2002 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.7 137 km 7 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 139 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 145 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 140 km 8 km
Apr 4, 2010 9km SW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 143 km 10 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 63 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 103 km 8 km
Apr 4, 2010 12km WNW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.4 142 km 10 km
May 24, 2006 6km SSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 145 km 6 km
Dec 3, 1991 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 145 km 6 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 102 km 8 km
Apr 8, 2010 12km SW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.3 150 km 10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

34 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 6 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 91 km 4.0 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 85 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 38 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 66 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 29, 1993 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 59 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 46 km 1.0 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 54 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 79 km 0.8 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 77 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 22, 2007 EF0 64 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 38 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 10, 2006 EF0 66 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2005 EF0 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 78 km 2.2 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 81 km 2.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 2005 EF0 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 17, 2004 EF0 79 km 0.2 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 — 57 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (101 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 101 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 15 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 27 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 28 km
2002 PINES 65,407 31 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 46 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 55 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 35 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 97 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 92 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 96 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 95 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 93 km
1994 PALM 21,040 86 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 58 km
2007 AMMO FIRE 19,213 95 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 41 km
2006 HORSE 16,659 17 km
2020 VALLEY 16,517 16 km
1989 VAIL 15,632 68 km
2014 PULGAS 14,937 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (6°C) 4.5 in Coldest
February 45°F (7°C) 4.4 in
March 47°F (8°C) 5.0 in Wettest
April 51°F (11°C) 1.9 in
May 56°F (13°C) 0.7 in
June 65°F (18°C) 0.2 in Driest
July 71°F (22°C) 0.4 in
August 71°F (22°C) 0.8 in Warmest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.8 in
October 58°F (15°C) 1.0 in
November 51°F (11°C) 2.7 in
December 45°F (7°C) 3.4 in

Descanso has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 42°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 25.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and June the driest (0.2").

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