Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Garnet 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 839 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
839 ft (256 m)
Area
7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
Population Density
886/sq mi
Coordinates
33.9179°N, 116.4796°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
Riverside County County
Nearest Airport
Palm Springs International (PSP) 6 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall2.9"
92% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan)1.14"
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
13,547 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M7.3.
Jun 28, 1992
The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake
M7.3
32 km
0 km
Oct 16, 1999
The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake
M7.1
79 km
14 km
Jun 28, 1992
The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake
M6.3
45 km
4 km
Apr 23, 1992
The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake
M6.1
16 km
12 km
Jun 28, 1991
The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake
M5.8
145 km
8 km
Jun 28, 1992
3km NE of Yucca Valley, California
M5.8
25 km
-1 km
Oct 16, 1999
13km WSW of Ludlow, CA
M5.8
86 km
14 km
Jun 15, 2010
8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.7
145 km
9 km
Jun 28, 1992
2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California
M5.7
27 km
6 km
Jun 29, 1992
3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California
M5.7
22 km
10 km
Oct 16, 1999
7km ENE of Running Springs, CA
M5.6
63 km
6 km
Jun 28, 1992
11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California
M5.5
44 km
10 km
Feb 28, 1990
The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake
M5.5
115 km
3 km
Jun 28, 1992
0km E of Yucca Valley, CA
M5.5
23 km
8 km
Jul 5, 1992
21km SW of Ludlow, California
M5.4
75 km
5 km
Jul 7, 2010
20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
M5.4
56 km
12 km
Jun 28, 1992
26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA
M5.4
47 km
4 km
Aug 26, 2012
4km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.4
133 km
8 km
Oct 16, 1999
32km SSW of Ludlow, California
M5.4
62 km
1 km
Jul 1, 1992
24km N of Yucca Valley, California
M5.3
46 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978
EF3
70 km
2.0 mi
0
May 22, 2008
EF2
71 km
2.8 mi
0
Sep 7, 1982
EF2
36 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 6, 2015
EF1
52 km
4.0 mi
0
Aug 4, 2008
EF1
49 km
1.1 mi
0
Feb 19, 2005
EF1
80 km
2.8 mi
0
May 18, 1997
EF1
100 km
9.0 mi
0
May 11, 1997
EF1
94 km
0.2 mi
0
Dec 22, 1996
EF1
28 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 22, 1974
EF1
31 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 20, 1974
EF1
47 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 8, 2022
EF0
72 km
1.6 mi
0
Aug 16, 2018
EF0
44 km
0.2 mi
0
Oct 17, 2015
EF0
65 km
0.0 mi
0
Jul 19, 2015
EF0
43 km
0.2 mi
0
Sep 9, 2012
EF0
71 km
0.0 mi
0
Aug 12, 2012
EF0
68 km
0.5 mi
0
May 22, 2008
EF0
70 km
0.9 mi
0
May 22, 2008
EF0
73 km
1.0 mi
0
May 22, 2008
EF0
81 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 (113 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Salton Buttes
Lava dome(s)
-40 m (-131 ft)
210
113 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
97 km
2003
OLD
90,180
83 km
2006
MILLARD
86,585
25 km
2002
PINES
65,407
86 km
1999
WILLOW
63,525
75 km
2003
PARADISE
55,995
89 km
2003
GRAND PRIX
50,799
96 km
2007
POOMACHA
47,496
80 km
2006
ESPERANZA
40,566
37 km
2020
APPLE
32,374
38 km
2015
LAKE
30,421
36 km
2022
FAIRVIEW
28,680
45 km
2013
MOUNTAIN
28,202
25 km
1998
EDNA
27,561
48 km
1993
CALIFORNIA
23,899
60 km
2018
HOLY
22,845
94 km
2020
EL DORADO
22,300
48 km
1995
VERBENIA
21,601
20 km
1994
PALM
21,040
31 km
2013
SILVER
20,863
30 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
56°F (14°C)
1.0 in
March
60°F (15°C)
0.8 in
April
66°F (19°C)
0.3 in
May
73°F (23°C)
0.2 in
June
81°F (27°C)
0.0 in
Driest
July
94°F (35°C)
0.3 in
Warmest
August
87°F (30°C)
0.5 in
September
82°F (28°C)
0.5 in
October
72°F (22°C)
0.3 in
November
61°F (16°C)
0.7 in
December
54°F (12°C)
0.9 in
Coldest
Garnet has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 54°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.1") and June the driest (0.0").