Weather & Climate in El Cajon, CA

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

El Cajon enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 324 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 28.4 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 433 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	61.7°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	52°F (11°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	324 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	433 ft (132 m)
Area	14.4 sq mi (37.4 km²)
Population Density	7,230/sq mi
Coordinates	32.8017°N, 116.9605°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Diego County County
Nearest Airport	San Diego International (SAN) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.4"

25% below US avg

Snowfall 0.7"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.56"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

9,317 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	142 km	12 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	99 km	9 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	82 km	12 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	135 km	8 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	134 km	8 km
Mar 23, 1994	35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX	M5.3	139 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2010	15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX	M5.3	130 km	10 km
Jun 5, 2021	11km W of Calipatria, CA	M5.3	129 km	6 km
Apr 14, 2025	5 km S of Julian, CA	M5.2	43 km	14 km
Jun 12, 2005	10km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.2	89 km	13 km
Jun 10, 2016	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.2	85 km	12 km
Oct 31, 2001	16km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.0	89 km	14 km
Aug 21, 1993	12km S of Joshua Tree, California	M5.0	149 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	7km SSW of Yucca Valley, California	M5.0	147 km	5 km
Jun 30, 1992	14km ENE of Desert Hot Springs, CA	M5.0	144 km	1 km
May 4, 1992	16km NNE of Thousand Palms, California	M5.0	141 km	12 km
Jun 15, 2004	67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA	M5.0	103 km	10 km
May 18, 1992	15km E of Desert Hot Springs, California	M5.0	140 km	6 km
Jul 24, 1992	13km NE of Thousand Palms, California	M5.0	137 km	7 km
Apr 5, 2010	20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.0	109 km	1 km

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

Tornado History

30 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	78 km	2.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2000	EF1	17 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	42 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	43 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 19, 1991	EF1	14 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 20, 1980	EF1	23 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 18, 1978	EF1	59 km	0.8 mi	0
Oct 8, 1961	EF1	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 13, 1956	EF1	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 22, 2007	EF0	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF0	33 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 10, 2006	EF0	42 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2005	EF0	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF0	71 km	2.2 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF0	68 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 17, 2004	EF0	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 12, 1999	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 8, 1998	EF0	39 km	3.0 mi	0
May 20, 1997	EF0	81 km	0.1 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	—	25 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (133 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	133 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	24 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	36 km
2007	HARRIS	90,443	25 km
2002	PINES	65,407	53 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	45 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	56 km
2003	MINE/OTAY	37,232	23 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	80 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	98 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	80 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	93 km
1993	ORTEGA	20,912	100 km
2003	COYOTE	19,215	74 km
2007	AMMO FIRE	19,213	76 km
1993	GUEJITO	17,141	35 km
2006	HORSE	16,659	33 km
2020	VALLEY	16,517	26 km
1986	UNNAMED	16,390	85 km
1989	VAIL	15,632	69 km
2014	PULGAS	14,937	70 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	52°F (11°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in
March	58°F (14°C)	2.5 in
April	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
May	64°F (18°C)	0.3 in
June	69°F (20°C)	0.1 in	Driest
July	72°F (22°C)	0.1 in
August	75°F (24°C)	0.2 in	Warmest
September	73°F (23°C)	0.3 in
October	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	61°F (16°C)	1.5 in
December	56°F (13°C)	1.8 in

El Cajon has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 52°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.6") and June the driest (0.1").

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