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Weather & Climate in Desert Center, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Desert Center has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 94°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 3.7 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 650 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
94°F Jul (34°C)
| Annual Average | 73.6°F |
| 36% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 94°F (34°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Area | 30.4 sq mi (78.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.7378°N, 115.3666°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Imperial County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jacqueline Cochran Regional (TRM) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12,228 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake | M7.3 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake | M7.1 | 127 km | 14 km |
| 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 | 91 km | 12 km |
| Dec 30, 2009 | 12km N of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.8 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA | M5.8 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.8 | 106 km | -1 km |
| Jun 15, 2010 | 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.7 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California | M5.7 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.7 | 104 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 | 106 km | 8 km |
| Jul 5, 1992 | 21km SW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 109 km | 12 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 4km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.4 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.4 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 32km SSW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 113 km | 1 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 24km N of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 5km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.3 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Sep 15, 1992 | 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 99 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 9, 1978 | EF3 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1973 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2015 | EF1 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2015 | EF0 | 8 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2010 | EF0 | 63 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2001 | EF0 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2000 | EF0 | 87 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1997 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | EF0 | 77 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1985 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1972 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (64 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 64 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JUNIPER COMPLEX (FIRE #3) (13,479 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | JUNIPER COMPLEX (FIRE #3) | 13,479 | 85 km |
| 1995 | COVINGTON | 5,457 | 93 km |
| 2022 | LOST LAKE | 5,455 | 88 km |
| 2006 | CIBOLA | 4,703 | 77 km |
| 2011 | THREE SLASHES | 4,581 | 80 km |
| 1984 | LOST HORSE | 4,130 | 88 km |
| 2005 | BOSQUE | 3,381 | 81 km |
| 1995 | LOST LAKE | 2,846 | 89 km |
| 2006 | PUSHWALLA | 2,468 | 69 km |
| 1992 | WALTERS | 2,170 | 81 km |
| 1999 | JUNIPER COMPLEX (JUNIPER) | 1,828 | 95 km |
| 2006 | WHISPERING PINES | 1,425 | 97 km |
| 1986 | COLORADO 2 | 1,403 | 86 km |
| 2021 | CLIP | 1,295 | 93 km |
| 1987 | PAUL | 1,145 | 87 km |
| 2023 | GEOLOGY | 1,068 | 65 km |
| 1990 | YOCUM | 1,006 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| June | 88°F (31°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 94°F (34°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 92°F (33°C) | 0.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 86°F (30°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 74°F (23°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Desert Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 54°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 3.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (0.6") and May the driest (0.0").