Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Encinitas, CA

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

Encinitas enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 11.4 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 266 feet.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation266 ft (81 m)
Area20.0 sq mi (51.8 km²)
Population Density3,231/sq mi
Coordinates33.0506°N, 117.2636°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.4"
70% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.52"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.9 / 100
Community Resilience16.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Tsunami Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

9,158 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
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 134 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 134 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 144 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 132 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 147 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 142 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 134 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 129 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 128 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 142 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 84 km 12 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 147 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 138 km 7 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 140 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1992 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.2 133 km 9 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 62 km 14 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 84 km 13 km
Jun 10, 2016 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.2 87 km 12 km
Mar 29, 2014 2km NW of Brea, CA M5.1 115 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 92 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 90 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 49 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 25 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 3 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 97 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 87 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 97 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 14 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 37 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 70 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 97 km 2.0 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 20 km 0.8 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 83 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF1 85 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 8, 1965 EF1 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 16 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 70 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis 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 - 39 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 140 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (154 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 154 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 48 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 47 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 64 km
2002 PINES 65,407 65 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 37 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 42 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 97 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 62 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 42 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 79 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 96 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 83 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 97 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 42 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 69 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 75 km
1994 PALM 21,040 95 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 63 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 74 km
2007 AMMO FIRE 19,213 37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 56°F (14°C) 2.5 in Wettest
February 57°F (14°C) 2.3 in
March 57°F (14°C) 2.3 in
April 60°F (16°C) 1.0 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 69°F (21°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 72°F (22°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 70°F (21°C) 0.3 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 60°F (16°C) 1.6 in
December 56°F (13°C) 1.8 in Coldest

Encinitas has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 56°F in December to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").

View full profile of Encinitas, CA →