Weather & Climate in Desert Palms, CA

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

Desert Palms 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. 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 2.9 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 116 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 94°F Jul (35°C)

Annual Average	76.0°F
	41% above US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	94°F (35°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	116 ft (35 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density	2,434/sq mi
Coordinates	33.7791°N, 116.2982°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Riverside County County
Nearest Airport	Palm Springs International (PSP) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 2.9"

92% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

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

14,414 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	49 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	92 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	68 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	20 km	12 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	100 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	40 km	-1 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	125 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	38 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	38 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	85 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	67 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	135 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	39 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	43 km	12 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	89 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	110 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	66 km	4 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	74 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	63 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	109 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978	EF3	49 km	2.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	89 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	30 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	69 km	1.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	87 km	2.8 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	60 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	85 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	43 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	78 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 2015	EF0	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 2015	EF0	83 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 9, 2012	EF0	86 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 12, 2012	EF0	83 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	96 km	0.4 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	86 km	0.9 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 2006	EF0	79 km	1.0 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	—	146 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (91 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	91 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	89 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	48 km
2002	PINES	65,407	75 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	97 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	86 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	79 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	54 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	60 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	59 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	54 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	32 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	66 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	69 km
2020	EL DORADO	22,300	70 km
1995	VERBENIA	21,601	43 km
1994	PALM	21,040	26 km
2013	SILVER	20,863	48 km
2003	COYOTE	19,215	51 km
2004	CERRITO	18,605	100 km
1993	GUEJITO	17,141	95 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	59°F (15°C)	0.8 in	Wettest
February	60°F (16°C)	0.7 in
March	64°F (18°C)	0.5 in
April	70°F (21°C)	0.1 in
May	78°F (25°C)	0.1 in
June	86°F (30°C)	0.0 in	Driest
July	94°F (35°C)	0.2 in	Warmest
August	91°F (33°C)	0.4 in
September	86°F (30°C)	0.3 in
October	75°F (24°C)	0.2 in
November	64°F (18°C)	0.4 in
December	56°F (13°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Desert Palms has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 56°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.8") and June the driest (0.0").

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