Weather & Climate in Desert Edge, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Desert Edge has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 4.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 12% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 984 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
94°F Jul (34°C)
| Annual Average | 75.6°F |
| 40% above US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 94°F (34°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 984 ft (300 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,604/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9223°N, 116.4401°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Riverside County County |
| Nearest Airport | Palm Springs International (PSP) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 87.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 11.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 147 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Very High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13,591 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake | M7.3 | 31 km | 0 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake | M7.1 | 77 km | 14 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 47 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 12 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.8 | 23 km | -1 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA | M5.8 | 85 km | 14 km |
| Jun 15, 2010 | 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.7 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California | M5.7 | 25 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.7 | 21 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 66 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.5 | 22 km | 8 km |
| Jul 5, 1992 | 21km SW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 56 km | 12 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 4km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.4 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.4 | 47 km | 4 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 32km SSW of Ludlow, California | M5.4 | 60 km | 1 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 24km N of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 45 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
40 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 9, 1978 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1982 | EF2 | 35 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2015 | EF1 | 50 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2008 | EF1 | 50 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 84 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1997 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1996 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 1974 | EF1 | 29 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1974 | EF1 | 51 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2022 | EF0 | 76 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2018 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2015 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2015 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2015 | EF0 | 97 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2012 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2012 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF0 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (111 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 111 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WITCH (167,551 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | WITCH | 167,551 | 99 km |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 86 km |
| 2006 | MILLARD | 86,585 | 27 km |
| 2002 | PINES | 65,407 | 87 km |
| 1999 | WILLOW | 63,525 | 77 km |
| 2003 | PARADISE | 55,995 | 91 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 100 km |
| 2007 | POOMACHA | 47,496 | 82 km |
| 2006 | ESPERANZA | 40,566 | 41 km |
| 2020 | APPLE | 32,374 | 41 km |
| 2015 | LAKE | 30,421 | 39 km |
| 2022 | FAIRVIEW | 28,680 | 48 km |
| 2013 | MOUNTAIN | 28,202 | 28 km |
| 1998 | EDNA | 27,561 | 51 km |
| 1993 | CALIFORNIA | 23,899 | 63 km |
| 2018 | HOLY | 22,845 | 98 km |
| 2020 | EL DORADO | 22,300 | 51 km |
| 1995 | VERBENIA | 21,601 | 23 km |
| 1994 | PALM | 21,040 | 32 km |
| 2013 | SILVER | 20,863 | 34 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | Wettest |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| May | 80°F (27°C) | 0.0 in | |
| June | 88°F (31°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 94°F (34°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 94°F (34°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 88°F (31°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 78°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| December | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Desert Edge has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 58°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.1") and June the driest (0.0").