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Weather & Climate in Fullerton, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fullerton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 328 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 43.2 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 272 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 62.2°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 328 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| Area | 22.4 sq mi (57.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 6,301/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8857°N, 117.9280°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.3 / 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
10,032 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake | M7.3 | 142 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 67 km | 18 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 107 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 149 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 43 km | 8 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.8 | 143 km | -1 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.7 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 86 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 36 km | 3 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.5 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 144 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.4 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 24km N of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1992 | 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California | M5.3 | 107 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.3 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Sep 15, 1992 | 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 146 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
119 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1983 | EF2 | 42 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 28 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 37 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2023 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF1 | 26 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 83 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 1998 | EF1 | 25 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1997 | EF1 | 25 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1997 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 2 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1992 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 25 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1986 | EF1 | 6 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 68 km |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | - | 148 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 67 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 29 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: STATION (165,368 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | STATION | 165,368 | 53 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 49 km |
| 2003 | SIMI | 107,756 | 94 km |
| 2018 | WOOLSEY | 97,962 | 87 km |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 72 km |
| 1999 | WILLOW | 63,525 | 91 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 54 km |
| 2016 | SAND | 41,561 | 68 km |
| 2007 | BUCKWEED | 41,332 | 85 km |
| 2006 | ESPERANZA | 40,566 | 97 km |
| 1993 | GREEN MEADOWS | 38,115 | 100 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 37 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 62 km |
| 2008 | YELLOW | 33,232 | 70 km |
| 2020 | APPLE | 32,374 | 99 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 100 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 17 km |
| 2007 | SANTIAGO | 27,605 | 31 km |
| 1998 | EDNA | 27,561 | 86 km |
| 2020 | INDIA | 24,193 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 in |
Fullerton has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 52°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.5") and July the driest (0.0").